The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Bikalpa Dhara Bangladesh (BDB) led by former President Prof Dr AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury and Gano Froum (GF) led by former Foreign Minister Dr Kamal Hossain yesterday extended support to the Election Commission's plan for holding elections to the city corporations before the national polls as per its roadmap.

Urging other political parties to make the ensuing city corporation polls, front ranking leaders of the BDB and GF asked the Government to hold dialogue with the civil society and professional groups and individuals side by side with the political parties in order to make talks meaningful to arrive at a consensus on the issues of national interests.

Making the calls after a joint meeting at the GF office at Hotel Eden Complex in the city, leaders of both the BDB and GF said they have decided to work together on national issues to bring about meaningful changes in the interest of the country and its people and democracy in the future.

They also demanded the lifting of the state of emergency before the polls as per the Government's commitment to encourage peoples' participation in the elections.

"We don't want mere elections, we want meaningful polls," Gano Forum Presidium member Pankaj Bhattacharya told journalists after the meeting.

He urged the Election Commission (EC) to complete the unfinished task within the timeframe, as there is no alternative to elections.

Bikalpa Dhara Secretary General Maj (retd) MA Mannan said his party also wants credible elections free from black money, terrorism and corruption to establish a sustainable democracy in the country.

He said Bikalpa Dhara wants to cooperate with the Government if it holds dialogue on the present problems.

Mannan said his party also likes to reach a consensus with other parties on national interest, but they would not go for any understanding with war criminals.

BDB leaders Mahi B Chowdhury, Commander (retd) Shahidur Rahman, Dr Muzaffar Ahmed, Aziz Akand and Advocate Sabera Begum and GF leaders Mofizul Islam Khan Kamal, Commander (retd) Rouf, former Whip Abdur Rouf, and Dr Farid Ahmed were, among others, present at the meeting.