The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

President of Bikalpadhara Bangladesh Prof Dr AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury yesterday urged the government to sit with senior politicians for finding out effective solutions to the country' s major problems, including the severe power crisis and food shortage.

"The power crisis has now taken a serious turnt the Chief Adviser's address to the nation should have contained the indication how it would be solved," he told a press conference at his party office in the afternoon.

The press conference was arranged to express the party's view about the country's current political situation and give its formal reaction to the CA's address to the nation.

B Chowdhury said the government needs to understand the ground reality and take effective measures to ensure food security of the people in the wake of global price hike and tight supplies of foodgrains.

About politics, he said the government should promote honest politics with a positive attitude for rapid progress of the country. "The government must patronize honest politics as the country cannot be run without politics."

Hailing the CA's the speech, B Chowdhury said the Chief Adviser in his speech has given an indication of the election date and has been able to assure all that the polls would be held with the voter list prepared with photographs.

He, however, said the Chief Adviser's address to the nation should have included some other important points like the power crisis, ensuring of food security and agricultural incentives for the farmers.

B Chowdhury also said the present caretaker government has failed to make the administration fully free from partisanship, which he said, is very essential for holding a neutral election.

The Bikalpadhara president also criticized the country's previous governments for politicizing the administration.

About agriculture, he said it has to be made sure that the farmers are getting the fair prices of their produces and a rationing system should be introduced for the workers as they have been hit hard by the price hike.

He suggested the government to continue the ongoing OMS programme to help the low-income group people.

Replying to a query, Badruddoza said the government's dialogue with political parties might fail if all the political parties do not join it.

He hoped that all the political parties, including BNP and Awami League, would join the dialogue and participate in the elections.

Appreciating the Chief Adviser for his address to the nation, Bakalpadhara general secretary Major (retd) Mannan said his address reflected the people's expectations.