300 'reformist' Politicians From 16 N-dists Meet In Rajshahi
Search for a new forum to shun dynastic politics
Some 300 'reformist' politicians from 16 northern districts yesterday said, they want a new political platform to get rid of dynastic politics controlled by musclemen and inherited leadership.
They were exchanging views with an aim for 'political reform and good governance' in the country.
"Reality after January 11 is that we can not go back to failures of the past. The past means gabbing of national property, abuse of power, politicization at all levels, violation of the Constitution, terrorism, corruption, family-based politics and inherited leadership", said Noim Zahangir, former secretary general of Muktijoddha Command Council. He read out the keynote paper.
It said, "We want politics that will help flourish local industries and agriculture, create skilled manpower to attain self-reliance and ensure security of life and property and transparency at all levels".
The organisers of the meeting did not use any banner. Most of them were freedom fighters, including a good number of former and present leaders of Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD), said participants.
Many leaders of Jatiya Party, Awami League and BNP also joined the meeting, they said.
JSD leader Rafiqul Islam Golap from Rangpur presided over the meeting held at a restaurant in Rajshahi city.
The participants included engineer Abu Taher, chairman of Solidarity Movement; its secretary general Belal Ahmed; former JSD leaders Kamal Uddin Ahmed, Shib Narayan Das and Solaiman Masud from Dhaka; Capt (retd) Azizul Islam Birprotik from Lalmonirhat; Kabi Mohon Dewan; Jatiya Sramik Jote leader Feroz Uddin and Rajshahi city Jatiya Party president Durul Huda.
They said, they would hold similar meetings at other divisions in turns and then call a national convention in Dhaka.
They said, we are, at this moment, trying to unite those (from across the country) who are honest, dedicated, responsible and pledge-bound for welfare of the countrymen and coordinate their merit and creativity in national politics.
Advocate Abdus Samad of Chapainawabganj said, "A reform in current political trend has become essential, but organisers (of the meeting) should clarify their identity and aim".
Naldanga thana Awami League president Sirajul Islam from Natore said, the new political platform must ensure public awareness and legal support for holding next elections in an environment free from muscle power, black money and vested interests.
Rabindranath Saren, general secretary of Jatiya Adibashi Parishad said, all political parties should care about rights of the deprived indigenous community.
Former lawmaker from Naogaon Prof Wahidur Rahman said there should be an end to undemocratic practices, arbitrariness and one-person rule in political parties.
The speakers included Wahiduzzaman Alam of Joypurhat, Abdul Aziz Sarker of Sirajganj, Abdul Khalek of Naogaon, Joynal Abedin of Kurigram, Lutfar Rahman Chowdhury of Gaibandha, Muktijoddha commander Zakir Hossain of Panchagarh, Sadrul Haq of Pabna.
They said the nation is now passing a critical time when all right thinking and honest people should unite and raise voice against ill politics. In the past, politics was used as a tool to yield power and grab resources. There will not be any development till the trend is changed for constructive politics for people's welfare, they said. The meeting ended with a lunch.
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