BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Wednesday voiced satisfaction with the outcomes of their talks with Gono Odhikar Parishad as they reached a consensus on waging a simultaneous movement for ousting the current regime and ensuring the next polls under a neutral government.
The dialogue between the two political parties was held at Gono Odhikar Parishad’s central office in the capital’s Purana Paltan.
As part of their move to unite opposition parties for launching a simultaneous movement, Mirza Fakhrul together with party standing committee member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury and media cell convener Jahiruddin Swapan sat in talks with a seven-member delegation of Gono Odhikar Parishad, led by its Convener Reza Kibria at 11am.
Talking to reporters after the meeting, Fakhrul said, “We’re very satisfied with the outcomes of our talks with Gono Odhikar Parishad. We’re glad that they agreed with us on all issues, especially on not joining any polls under the current government.”
He said they also reached a consensus that the present government cannot be allowed to remain in power as it has very conscientiously and cunningly destroyed the achievements of Bangladesh, including democracy, freedom of speech, social values and the right to justice.
“That’s why we have agreed on initiating a united and simultaneous movement together with the people to remove this government,” the BNP leader said.
He said BNP and Gono Odhikar Parishad are in the same position on issues like the resignation of the government, dissolution of the parliament, formation of an election-time neutral government and the reconstitution of the Election Commission.
“We want to establish a people’s parliament and government with the genuine representatives of people through holding an acceptable election,” Fakhrul said.
After that election, he said their party will form a national government with all their movement partners to repair the state.
Reza Kibria said they had a very positive discussion with BNP and they agreed on many issues.
“After discussing the overall situation of the country here, we have understood that we are on the same path with the same thoughts. We don’t have much disagreement with BNP. It is good news for all opposition parties and for those who want a change in Bangladesh,” he observed.
Reza said they have no plan to go to the elections under the current government as they think no fair election can be held under Awami League.
“Discussions are underway with many parties and more will follow as a process of building a national unity has begun. The position of our two parties is very similar and we’ll work together to topple this despotic, corrupt and fascist government. All those who want democracy in the country will work together under the same banner,” he observed.
Gono Odhikar Parishad member secretary Nurul Haque Nur said they discussed what to do to overcome the ongoing crisis in the country. “There’s not much difference between us and BNP in the perception about what we should do to overcome the crisis. We have agreed on the 10 issues that we had in today’s discussion.”
He said they also agreed with BNP’s demand for a simultaneous or a united movement with other political parties to oust the ‘fascist’ government.
Earlier on Tuesday, Nurul in a discussion meeting said BNP and Awami League have the same character and the country cannot be run by the two major parties.
As journalists drew his attention to such a dissimilar position, Nur said it is fact that Awami League and BNP were in power for 34 years and they have much in common in their governance. “Now where Bangladesh stands, new arrangements and management are needed. In that case, BNP has moved away from its old position. They announced to form of a national government after the election to bring a change in the current system (of governance).”
On May 24, BNP formally began the dialogue with other opposition parties with the first meeting with Nagorik Oikya aimed at forging unity among opposition political parties.
The party also had talks with Labour Party, Ganosanghati Andolon, Bangladesher Biplobi Workers Party, Jatiya Party (Kazi Zafar), National Democratic Party, JAGPA, Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), Nap (Bhasani), Muslim League, Islami Oikya Jote and Jamiat Ulama-e Islam, Bangladesher Samyabadi Dal and Democratic League (DL), Bangladesh People’s League, Bangladesh NAP, JSD-Rob, Jatiya Dal and a faction of Gonoforum,
Source: United News of Bangladesh