Staff Reporter :
Leaders of the National Reform Alliance (NRA) have vowed to build a broad-based unity among the people to establish a truly representative government in the upcoming national election. They emphasised that implementing their 17-point demand is crucial to ensure this goal.
Their key demands include adopting the July Declaration, complete political reform, justice for all incidents of genocide, holding local government elections first after reforms, introducing a proportional representation system for national polls, easing the registration process for political parties, removing barriers to independent candidates, ensuring that deputy commissioners and UNOs do not act as returning officers, forming independent and powerful local government bodies, allowing expatriates to vote, ensuring a level playing field in elections, and guaranteeing women’s safety and equal rights, among others.
The leaders made these remarks on Saturday at the alliance’s office in the capital’s Bijoy Sarani during a programme where five more parties and an alliance formally joined the National Reform Alliance, which already includes the Bangladesh Independent Candidates Unity Council and 35 other political groups.
The new entrants include Bangladesh Citizen Party, led by Dr Aslam Al Mehdi, and Gana Odhikar Party, chaired by Sardar Abdus Sattar.
Speaking at the event, Major (Retd.) Amin Ahmed Afsari, convenor of the National Reform Alliance, said the country is facing a deep crisis on multiple fronts. “Major political parties are fighting for their own interests while the government appears cornered. Questions are being raised about the competence of the government’s advisers.
The spirit of the July Revolution is being lost and fascist forces are trying to re-emerge while the government seems to be watching helplessly. We cannot let this happen. We want to stand united with the people to form a people’s government in the next election,” he said.
Alhaj Mohammad Abdur Rahim, member secretary of the alliance and chairman of the Bangladesh Independent Candidates Unity Council, accused the government of mocking their council’s eight-point demand.
“In response, we will launch a continuous sit-in programme from August 10. This government is resorting to various misdeeds to turn itself into a fascist regime, which must be resisted.
This government was achieved through immense sacrifices we cannot allow it to fail,” he added.
Also speaking at the programme were Professor A R Khan, chief coordinator of the National Reform Alliance, and Mohammad Abdul Ahad Noor, executive coordinator, along with other leaders and representatives from newly joined parties.
