Staff Reporter :
Head of the Commission for Electoral Reform Dr Badiul Alam Majumdar said that the chaos and unrest in the country stemmed from the previous government’s (Awami League) abuse of power.
He further said that Awami League is now reaping the consequences of its past misdeeds and activities.
“Everyone is aware of the chaos that resulted from the abuse of power by the previous government.
Now, they are facing the consequences of that arrogance,” he stated while speaking at a discussion held at the Jatiya Press Club on Thursday, marking the 13th founding anniversary of Nagorik Oikya. Dr Majumdar said that to uphold a functioning democracy, it is essential to reduce the arrogance of power and to build a political party that operates with full transparency.
Referring to recent incidents involving former election officials, he noted, “Two former Chief Election Commissioners have already been arrested. However, the harassment faced by one of them is in no way acceptable. I condemn such actions. Anyone found guilty must be appropriately punished, but justice must be ensured.”
He also urged the government to take strict measures against those responsible for inciting mob violence in the country.
Nagorik Oikya President Mahmudur Rahman Manna emphasised that a political party must reflect the aspirations of the people.
He said that Nagorik Oikya aims to be such a party, one that truly represents public hopes and dreams.
“The fight for a new Bangladesh after the fall of fascism should not be based on emotion, but rather on intellectual conviction,” he added.
“We want the reform work of the interim government to succeed through the initiatives of political parties. What we have achieved so far in terms of reform is significant. Nagorik Oikya is trying to build a welfare-oriented political party,” said Manna.
Bazlur Rashid Firoz, General Secretary of the Socialist Party of Bangladesh, said, “During the previous government’s rule, people from students to farmers suffered from inequality.
Harassment and violence against women were rampant. Even after ten months under the interim government, there has been little improvement.”
Criticising the activities of the National Consensus Commission, Ruhin Hossain Prince, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB), said, “In the name of so-called consensus, the commission wants to distort the spirit of the Liberation War. Any reform must uphold the core principles of the Liberation War.”
Saiful Haque, General Secretary of the Biplobi Workers Party of Bangladesh, said that the government has failed to take action against those involved in mob violence in the past ten months.
Among others, Masud Rana, Chief Coordinator of the Socialist Party of Bangladesh (Marxist); Abul Hasan, Executive Coordinator of Gonosonghoti Andolon; Rafiqul Islam, Convener of the Bhasani Followers Council; Mostafa Jamal Haider, Chairman of the Jatiya Party (Zafar); and Shahidullah Kaiser, General Secretary of Nagorik Oikya, were present.
