The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Senior leaders of different political parties, including the BNP and the Awami League, yesterday welcomed Chief Adviser Dr Fakruddin Ahmed’s address to the nation saying it would remove confusions and uncertainty created after the recent reshuffling of the Council of Advisers.

They said the holding dialogue with the political parties, as per his announcement, would bridge the gap between the politicians and the Government removing the uncertainty over holding the general elections as well.

However, they suggested the Government to announce specific dates for lifting the restrictions on indoor politics outside Dhaka and the state of emergency.

“We welcome the Chief Adviser’s announcement about holding talks with the parties. We were the first to demand it and the Government is a must to sit with political parties except the Jamaat-e-Islami,” said Acting President of Awami League (AL) Zillur Rahman.

“The Government should take steps immediately to regain confidence of the political parties and create an environment so that political parties can take part in the election,” he added.

BNP Acting Secretary General Maj (retd) Hafizuddin Ahmed expressed satisfaction at the CA’s speech, saying that the nation is assured about the elections this year to switch over to democracy.

He said it would have been good if the Chief Advisor had set a specific date for withdrawing restrictions on open politics and hoped the state of emergency would be phased out.

AL Presidium Member Suranjit Sengupta also echoed same voice saying dialogue with political parties was the demand of the nation.

“The dialogue is essential. The Government responded to our demand,” he said.

Suranjit said the restrictions on indoor politics outside Dhaka should be removed immediately. A way of understanding must be worked out by reposing trust on political parties.

BNP Joint Secretary General Gayeswar Chandra Roy of the other faction of the immediate-past ruling party termed the dialogue offer as a positive development. He, however, observed that presence of the two detained former premiers-Begum Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina-would help make the talks effective.

Jatiya Party (Ershad) Secretary General Ruhul Amin Hawlader hailed the dialogue initiative and expressed the hope that the Government would do it. He also welcomed the Chief Adviser’s assurance of lifting the restrictions on indoor politics outside Dhaka.

Left leaning political parties, however, were more cautious and sceptic to hail the speech of Chief Adviser.

Workers Party President Rashed Khan Menon said the Government realised the necessity of sitting with political parties, which is welcoming. The sooner the dialogue taken place is the better.

He suggested to creat an atmosphere conducive to dialogue by quickly lifting restrictions on indoor politics across the country, outside Dhaka, wherein he said 13 crore people live.

About lifting the state of emergency, he said since the Chief Adviser claimed that law-and-order situation is good, there is no necessity of keeping the emergency in force.

JSD President Hasanul Huq Inu said the decision to sit with political parties by shirking the 'go-alone policy’ was a welcome development. It would have been realistic and trustworthy if the Chief Adviser had announced specific dates for lifting the state of emergency and ban on open politics.

The JSD leader said it was unfortunate that the Chief Adviser sidetracked the question of resolving problems of Dhaka University teachers and students.

“It appeared mysterious to keep silent on issues of militancy and war criminals,” he further observed.

CPB General Secretary Mujahidul Islam Selim said the Chief Adviser should be more frank to admit its shortcomings. The delay in holding talks with political parties has become detrimental to the nation. Government should open dialogue since its initiation.

But, now the dialogue should not be used as an excuse for delaying the national election and stick to power.

The Government should go ahead to its main agenda of arranging an election free from black money and muscle power.

Gono Forum Presidium member Pankaj Bhattacharya said, “We have got trust and confidence through the Chief Adviser’s speech. We don’t find any reason for doubt about the elections. We hope all misgivings will come to an end.”

He said the Government decision on dialogue would make an important contribution to uniting the nation.