The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Proshika Chairman Qazi Faruque Ahmed is launching a political party this year to fight for the rights of the poor and restoration of democracy in the country.

This was disclosed at a press briefing organised by the NGO at its head office in the city yesterday.

Faruque said the new party called United Citizens Movement (UCM) would have among its members-professionals, women, ordinary workers and people who were involved in Bangladesh's freedom struggle.

"The principal aims of the UCM will be to fight for the rights of the poor, reduce poverty, assert basic rights and to restore democratic rule."

Elections are scheduled for December 18. Power in Bangladesh has alternated between Sheikh Hasina's Awami League and Begum Khaleda Zia's Bangladesh Nationalist Party.

"If we could establish crime-and-muscle-free politics, we would get a country free from poverty," said Faruque.

Bangladesh Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus, who heads top micro-credit agency Grameen Bank, had also planned to start a political group last year but aborted the plan midway.

"Since 1996 we have been working for the deprived people to achieve their rights," Faruque said and added, "Launching a political platform would help push our missions ahead, including to help establish rule of democracy in the country."

He said UCM would formally register with the Election Commission as a political party and contest the parliamentary elections.