The opposition political parties, reacting to the Acting President's address to the na tion on Wednesday, stressed the urgency of resolving the constitutional crisis to hasten transfer of power to end diarchy tn administration.

The leaders of political parties said that the ruling party should respect to the November 19 Joint Declaration of the three mainstream polit leal alliances — Eight-party Alliance. Seven-party Alliance and Five-party Combine to solve the present crisis.

Awami League. Jamaat-e-Is-laml. Workers Party and Communist Party of Bangladesh In separate statements called for amendment to the Constitution to go back to parliamentary form of government. The leaders of these parties held the ruling party responsible foi lingering the political stalemate. They hoped that the BNP Government would take initiative In the next parliament session to the nation out of the present crisis.

Awami League

Abdus Samad Azad, acting president of Awami League and Deputy Leader of Opposition In the Parliament welcomed the Acting President's address to the nation a and said, "it is a timely speech."

Giving his reaction. Abdus Samad told the Daily Star last night that Awami League Is determined to fulfil the commitment of three alliances which was made on November 19 last year

"We also want to fulfil the commitment of three alliances to the Acting President that was made on December 6 last year prior to his assumption of office", said the AL leader. He mentioned that Awami League has already taken initiative to materialise the framework as defined in the joint declaration of three alliances to establish a sovereign Parliament and transfer of power to it by forming an accountable government. A constitution amendment bill has been submitted in the Parliament for this purpose on April 14 which has been approved by the concerned Parliamentary Commit-

As regards Acting President's desire to return to his previous position of Chief Justice. Samad said that AL and its leader Sheikh Hasina is committed to fulfil his desire.

He expressed optimism about solving the issue on the form of government during the coming budget session of the Parliament as desired by the Acting President and said that all concerned should come forward to keep their commitment to the nation.

Jatiya Party

The Acting Chairman of Jatiya Party Barrister Moudud Ahmed termed Acting Presidents address to the nation as 'unfortunate' and said, "he has

placed the acute constitutional crisis before the nation.'

In a statement issued last night, the JP leader deplored that the Treasury Bench did not take initiative during the last session of the Parliament to solve this biggest crisis of the nation.

Barrister Moudud maintained that diarchy cannot help a poor country like Bangladesh and added "It can never strengthen democracy."

He expressed the hope that the assumption and tenure of office by the Acting President should be validated through a constitutional amendment and proper steps taken to save the nation from the constitutional

The consequences will be grave for the nation If the government falls to solve the crisis". the JP leader said.

.Jamaat

The Acting Ameer of Ja-maat-e-Islaml. Abbas All Khan, hailed the Acting President for his urging the Jatiya Sangsad and the people to continue the democratic process in the country.

He said that if the Jatiya Sangsad falls to fulfil its historic duty of deciding the type of government to consolidate democracy, then the people's struggle for democracy will be useless.

Abbas Ali Khan observed that the mainstream opposition parties, now forming majority in the parliament, could establish a sovereign parliament for overcoming the current crisis. This could be done during the ensuing budget session of the Parliament.

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Saifuddin Manik. General Secretary of Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB). reacting to the Acting President's address said we hope that BNP would now initiate materialise the joint declaration by the three mainstream political alliances with a view to give democracy a permanent shape.

He said under the existing constitution, the Acting President is the head of state as well as the government. But it is regrettable that the Prime Minister is acting as head of the government as well,- he added. "We want Begum Khaleda Zia to become the real head of the government through establishing Parliamentary form of government by amending the Constitution, he said.

Workers Party

Rashed Khan Menon, MP, General Secretary of Workers Party and a leader of Five-party Alliance appreciated Acting President's address to the nation and said "his speech has reflected the anxiety of the people on the political and constitutional Issue."

Giving reaction to the Acting President's speech Wednesday evening. Menon said that the Acting President has expressed the desire of the people for establishing democracy in the country. The Five-party leader called upon all including BNP Parliamentary Party to take initiative unitedly during coming session of the Parliament for the removing political and constitutional uncertainty.

BKSAL

BKSAL General Secretary Abdur Razzak welcomed the address of the Acting President saying that It reflected his respect for democracy. The address has once again proved that the Acting President was determined to honour his pledge to the nation.

Razzak called for implementing the outline of the Joint declaration of the three alliances to save the nation from the constitutional crisis.