AL not sincere about electoral pledges
Observes Shujan
The Awami League (AL)-led government could not implement most of its electoral pledges due to a lack of political will and sincerity, observed speakers at a discussion yesterday.
The government's popularity declined over the years as it could not take any confidence building measure to implement the promises in the electoral manifesto, “A Charter for Change”, they said.
Shushashoner Jonno Nagorik (Shujan), a non-government organisation working for good governance, organised the discussion, “Charter for change and the government's three and a half years”, at Jatiya Press Club.
During discussions over the government's failure in curbing corruption and controlling price hike of essentials, former cabinet secretary Ali Imam Majumder stressed the need to make Anti-Corruption Commission more effective.
He also emphasised on monitoring to end the influence of middlemen and control the price hike of commodities.
Politicisation, political blame game, inappropriate foreign policies and influence of ruling party men were the major impediments to implementing the pledges, said noted columnist Syed Abul Maksud.
He suggested that the government should form an independent commission to investigate into the corruption allegations over the Padma bridge funding.
Maksud also urged the National Human Rights Commission chairman to stop giving speeches and pressurise the government into investigating different incidents of human rights violations.
Former election commissioner Brig Gen (retd) M Sakhawat Hussain said a fair poll was impossible under the existing constitutional provision which allows lawmakers to remain in office during the polls.
The latest amendment to the constitution last year introduced provision No. 123 (3) (A), stating that the parliamentary polls will be held within 90 days preceding dissolution of the House.
“The present Election Commission takes us as rivals and does not deem it necessary to amend the RPO (representation of the people order), which we had proposed during our tenure,” said Shakhawat.
“Irrelevant” comments of some ministers tarnished the government's image, he viewed.
BNP standing committee member Lt Gen (retd) Mahbubur Rahman said Bangladesh was slowly losing friends due to the government's wrong foreign policies.
Although the AL pledged to establish a new political culture, intolerance and an attitude of envy continue to spread, said Shujan Secretary Prof Badiul Alam Majumdar.
Shujan acting president M Hafizuddin Khan chaired the function where former lawmaker Prof Abdul Mannan also spoke.
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