Dr Kamal, B Chy forge new alliance

In a latest development in politics, a new platform has been floated under the joint leadership of Prof AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury and Dr Kamal Hossain to take part in the next general elections.

The two senior political leaders of the country came up with the declaration after a two-hour meeting at the house of Dr Kamal, president of Gonoforum, last night. 

“We -- former president and Juktofront Chairman AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury and constitution architect Dr Kamal Hossain -- have agreed to work unitedly at the present moment of crisis of the nation,” B Chowdhury said after the meeting.

He also said a sub-committee had been formed for preparing the next course of action of the platform, which would be announced soon.

Leaders of the components of Juktofront -- Bikolpodhara Bangladesh, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal and Nagorik Oikya -- were present at the meeting.

Apart from Gonoforum leaders, Gonoshasthaya Kendra founder Zafrullah Chowdhury was present at the meeting.  

Talking to reporters, Zafrullah said they discussed the need for holding a free and fair election under a non-party administration.

Meeting insiders said the new platform would hold rallies at different parts of the country to woo people for creating a greater unity among all pro-liberation and non-communal forces except Jamaat and other anti-liberation elements.

In the meeting, Juktofront, formed in December last year, placed a seven-point proposals, one of which the Election Commission will have to declare an election road map following discussions with political parties before announcing the polls schedule.

The proposal includes the parliament and the cabinet led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina have to be dissolved before the election.   

The proposal also said no leaders of political parties could be arrested from now on till the end of the national election, and all the arrested students and political prisoners would have to be released before declaration of the election schedule.

The Gonoforum also placed a seven-point proposal in the meeting, saying that if the alliance is elected in the election, it will run the country upholding the constitution.

The party also proposed formation of an independent and effective Election Commission free from influence of the executive. It also proposed amending the electoral system and the electoral laws for a free and fair election.

Besides, the constitution will have to be up-to-date to bring the balance of power between the president and the prime minister and ensure full freedom of the judiciary, the Gonoforum proposed.