Another Presidium Member Motia Chowdhury however downplayed the importance of the proposal announced by Razzak, saying what Razzak had announced cannot be considered as a reform proposal, rather it is a political essay elaborating the political thoughts of a party member.

Motia also termed the proposal as 'imposed' and said AL leaders and activists will not accept any reform imposed on them from above. "This is an attempt to reform by diktats,'' she said.

Razzak's proposal came following a number of informal reform proposals from other senior AL presidium members, who made similar recommendations for reconstituting the party.

Speculations were rife since early morning yesterday regarding an impending reform proposal from Razzak, confusing journalists about whether he would publicise the proposal at all as several contradictory announcements were made regarding the schedule of the announcement.

He finally released the reform proposal to the media following direct intervention from a few of his senior party colleagues and gave a verbal statement to the media admitting that the document of his official proposal still contains a number of errors.

Talking to reporters in his Dhanmondi residence, Razzak however said his reform proposal do not intend to minus anyone from the party. He said activists of AL are the source of the party's strength and their will ultimately will guide the party in the future.

Razzak claimed that the reform proposal he placed is his own although several reformist leaders including AL Acting General Secretary Mukul Bose had repeatedly told the news media that the reformist leaders had handed over 'their amended reform proposal to Razzak'.

Razzak also said he made the proposal public to strengthen the party. "If there is any mistake in it, please forgive me and if it is correct, then please accept it," Razzak asked of his party colleagues.

PROPOSALS FOR WIDE-RANGING NATIONAL POLITICAL REFORM
The reform proposal Razzak announced to the nation yesterday does not only seek reforms in AL but also suggests sweeping reforms in the body politic of the country.

His proposal suggests ensuring the deserved national recognition for the father of the nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, execution of the verdict of his murder trial, ensuring state level respect for the four slain national leaders who were killed in jail in 1975, bringing of their killers to book, and preservation of the 'correct history' of the liberation struggle and the liberation war.

It also suggests abolition of communal politics and establishment of a secular democratic Bangladesh.

Some other reforms the proposal suggests as absolutely necessary are: economic reforms, administrative reforms, establishment of a free and impartial judiciary, implementation of the Election Commission proposed reforms, and enabling the Anti-corruption Commission to function independently.

Razzak also proposes amendments to the national constitution for bringing a balance of power between the president and the prime minister of the country.

DEMOCRATIC REFORM IN THE PARTY
Razzak said his reform proposal aims to install a much higher level of democracy in AL, practice of democracy at all levels of the party, and accountability and collective leadership in the organisation instead of any individual's leadership.

The proposal criticises as wrong decisions, the now defunct five-point deal signed between AL and Islamist fundamentalist Khelafat Majlish, and the hoax of an announcement made by the currently detained general secretary of AL, Abdul Jalil, about unseating the immediate past ruling alliance by April 30, 2004.

The proposal suggests that all party funds should be deposited in a bank under the party's treasurer's supervision, who will submit treasury reports to quarterly party meetings.

AMENDING THE PARTY CONSTITUTION
Razzak's reform proposal suggests a set of amendments to the party constitution including the following:

1) An individual cannot remain in the post of the party president or general secretary for more than two terms in a row. The same rule will be applied to district and upazila level top party posts to encourage new leadership.

2) An individual cannot simultaneously hold a party and a governmental position. This rule will also apply to the party president and presidium members as well as the general secretary and other party secretaries.

3) All committees of the party will be elected through secret ballots. Anyone who is anti-liberation or a war criminal will not be considered eligible for membership of the party. It shall be made mandatory to be nominated from the grassroots through democratic procedures for candidature in national elections. Anyone convicted of a crime or owners of 'black money' will not be eligible for electoral nominations.

4) The national committee of the party must be made functional. If a party member is convicted in a criminal case or by the highest court of the country then that person will not be eligible for appointment to any post in the party and will not be eligible for nomination in any election.

SURANJIT DID NOT KNOW
About Razzak's reform proposal, another reformist Presidium Member of AL Surajit Sengupta told The Daily Star that he did not see the proposal. "It is Abdur Razzak's personal proposal. First I have to see his proposal then I will comment on it," he said.

Asked whether he will place his own reform proposal like Razzak, Suranjit who was the first among the AL reformists to talk to the media about bringing drastic reforms to the party, said he is not thinking of doing so yet.

MOTIA'S REJECTION
"This [Razzak's reform proposal] is the thinking of a person, not a reform proposal. I treat it as a political essay," Motia told journalists as she was being barred by law enforcers from entering Sudha Sadan.

She also said, "Reform proposals have to be placed before the working committee of the party and then a council will approve those proposals."

She said she would consider Razzak's reform proposal seriously if it was placed before the party's working committee.