Govt plans Ershad-led 'dummy opposition' to hold 'farcical' polls
Abdul Hamid says in Kishoreganj
Our Correspondent,Kishoreganj
Deputy Leader of the Opposition in Parliament Advocate Abdul Hamid yesterday said the 'unreasonable' stance of the ruling parties on opposition's reform proposals is leading the country towards a state of confrontation, which will be detrimental for the country and the people. The opposition's demands are now people's demands and the government should accept those in the interest of holding a credible election, he said while addressing a conference of Sramik League, Awami League's labour front. It was held at a cinema hall in Koshoreganj town. The veteran Awami League leader claimed that the government is planning to hold a 'farcical' polls by fielding a 'dummy opposition' led by Ershad in absence of Awami League. He warned the government not to do so. Awami League, taking the people along, will resist the move, he said. "People are united and they will foil the government's election engineering to retain power". Abdul Hamid said BNP should take lessens from its February 15 'farcical' election in 1996. Before that (February 15) polls, the BNP chief had negated the concept of caretaker government to hold election. But the party had to accept it in the face of movement by people. "They will accept the demands this time also", he said. "Honorable Prime Minister, you should take lessons from the February 15 election. "If you are sure about winning the coming election, then accept the reform proposals to hold a free and fair election", Abdul Hamid said. The deputy leader of the opposition in parliament said the government does not want to accept the reforms because they are adamant to to cling to power. Once out of power, their misdeeds and plunder of people's wealth will come to light, he said. Hamid claimed that a senior BNP leader was caught in Malaysia with 12,000 crore taka and the money was forfeited by the Malaysian government. He however welcomed the BNP chief's suggestion for talks between secretaries general of BNP and Awami League. They have shifted from their earlier stance not to hold talks without Jamaat in the face of opposition agitation, he said. He urged leaders of the ruling alliance to accept the reform proposals before 14-party alliance's September 18 grand rally in Dhaka. Hamid also criticised the government for what he called doing nothing to check the price spiral ahead of the Ramadan. The council was also addressed by local leaders of Awami League and Seamik League including Ramesh Chandra Roy and Tofayel Ahmed, Habibur Rahman Siraj. Sramil League President Abdu Matin Master inaugurated the council, presided over by its Kishoreganj unit president ABM Siraju Islam.
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