The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Leaders of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) yesterday stressed the need for a transparent and effective parliament for ending the politics of violence and anarchy that plagued the nation before 1/11.

"The people of the country want to see democracy on the right track. Democracy means development and progress," said Annisul Huq, President of FBCCI at an Iftar Mahfil for political leaders, journalists and members of civil society at the Dhaka Sheraton Hotel.

"We want political stability as well as peace and economic progress of the country", he added.

"We the business community is calling upon political parties to declare their respective parties charter before the national elections on December 18 to bring about positive changes and build a new future for the nation" he noted.

He said the business community would also come up with their respective charter to soon.

Tofail Ahmed, Presidium Member of Awami League said if voted to power his party would carry forward the unfinished reforms taken by the caretaker government.

On the issue of consensus among political parties, he said every political party has its own election manifesto.

"Consensus among political parties could be possible after the election and in the parliament on different national issues," he added.

Rehamn Sobhan, Chairman of Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) said the dialogue between the key leaders of the Awami League and BNP should be held for the sake of democracy. Barrister Rafiqul Huq, Brigadier General (Retd) ASM Hannan Sha, Adviser to the BNP Chairperson, Dr Moin Khan , Dr RA Gani, Nazrul Islam Barkatulah Bulu, Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, Selima Rahman, Advocate Khondoker Mahbubuddin of BNP and Amir Hossain Amu and Motia Chowdhury, presidium members, Saber Hossain Chowdhury, Dr Abdur Rajjak of Awami League, Abul Kasem, senior Vice- President, Abu Alam Chowdhury, Vice- President and Mir Nasir Hossain, former President of FBCCI, Ataus Samad, Acting Editor of the daily Amar Desh and Naimul Islam Khan, editor of Amader Somoy, Dr Atiur Rahman among others, were present on the occasion.