The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal-JSD (Inu) yesterday proposed for formation of a national government at least for three to five years after the elections for the sake of ensuring sustainable democracy and development in the country.

The 7-member JSD delegation led by its president Hasanul Haque Inu placed the proposal during the dialogue with the Government held at Chief Adviser's Office in the city.

The JSD suggested the Government to ensure participation of all democratic parties in the dialogue to make it successful.

"If necessary, the Government should take administrative measures to ensure presence of Awami League chief Sheikh Hasina in the dialogue," he said adding that measures should also be taken to ensure the AL's General Secretary Abdul Jalil at the meeting.

Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed led the government side while he was aided by Adviser for Law AF Hasan Ariff, Adviser for Communications Maj Gen (Retd) Ghulam Quader, Adviser for Education and Commerce Dr Hossain Zillur, Adviser for Foreign Affairs Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury and Adviser for LGRD M Anwarul Iqbal.

Briefing journalists, Hasanul Haque Inu said they asked the government to declare the specific date for lifting the state of emergency, ensure general elections by December with the participation of all parties and removal of all restrictions on political and trade union activities.

He said they emphasised the need for creating a pre-election consensus among the political parties through discussion so that elected government cannot be autocratic.

Inu said they suggested the Caretaker Government not to take any policy decision during the six months period ahead of the general elections.

He said the JSD demanded enactment of laws to disqualify war criminals, parties involved in war crimes and parties based on religion and communal sentiment from contesting in the election.

Inu demanded of the Government to invite Janasanghati Samity led by Jatipriya Bodhipriya Larma alias Shantu Larma in the dialogue.

The JSD leader said they urged the Government not to hold local body elections without enactment of coordinated laws.

Adviser for Education Hossain Zillur Rahman said all issues were discussed in the dialogue freely and the Government is taking all out efforts to ensure all party participation in the dialogue.

The Adviser said proposals on national issues would emerge through such discussions, which are important for pre and post-election period.

Referring to a JSD proposal, he said the Government would attach importance to strengthen the anti-terror drive at the grassroots level to create a congenial atmosphere ahead of the elections.

He said the Government would take measure soon to ease the trade union activities in the country.

The other members of the JSD delegation included Mainuddin Khan Badal, Sharif Nurul Ambia, Syed Zafar Sajjad, Adv Rabiul Alam, Indu Nandan Dutta and Shirin Akhtar.