The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Speakers at a discussion yesterday laid emphasis on holding a free, fair and credible election in the country with a view to govern the nation by honest and people oriented politicians.

The formal dialogue between the political parties and the government should be in open-minded and transparent manner otherwise it would be 'abortive', they apprehended.

They also called upon the Government to allow detained two key political parties leaders to participate in the dialogue for bringing a fruitful result of the dialogue.

"People of the country are highly desirous that the Election Commission (EC) would arrange national elections as per road map by December of the year," they observed at a round table discussion on "Government versus Political Parties Dialogue and People's Aspirations" organised by Coalition for Good Governance at VIP lounge of Jatiya Press Club yesterday.

Eminent political scientist Professor Dr Emajuddin Ahmed presided over and Feroz M Hasan, Chairperson of the organisation moderated it.

It was also attended, among others, by Awami League organising secretary Mahmudur Rahman Manna, former MP of Jatiya Party M Kader, former MP of Awami League Colonel (Retd) Faruk Khan, Politburo member of Bangladesher Workers Party Haider Akbar Khan Rono, Executive President of Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) Mainuddin Khan Badal, Taleya Rehman of Democracy Watch and Morshed Ali of Communist Party of Bangladesh.

Mahmudur Rahman Manna demanded of the government to release his party's President Sheikh Hasina on bail for taking part in the forthcoming dialogue with the government. He called upon the Government to ensure Sheikh Hasina's treatment.

Terming the dialogue as important and crucial Professor Dr Emajuddin Ahmed said that many problems of the country had been solved in the past through 'dialogue'.

He suggested political parties to sit dialogue among them for removing mutual confusion before sitting with in the government.

Mentioning political leaders as key drivers for steering the nation towards peace and progress Professor Dr Emajuddin Ahmed said "Politicians are capable and authorized to make parliament effective,".

He hoped the formal dialogue between Government and the political parties would be meaningful and would pave the country towards democracy through holding a free, fair, transparent and participatory election.