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Call for all-party talks on caretaker reforms

STAFF CORRESPONDENT
Convenor of the Jatiya Oikya Mancha Dr Kamal Hossain yesterday asked the government to invite all political parties to a roundtable on reforms of the caretaker government system and strengthening the Election Commission.
"The government will have to respond to public demand for electoral reforms, otherwise people will force it to fulfil the demands," Dr Kamal said at a rally at Paltan Maidan in the capital organised by Jatiya Oikya Mancha.
"You will not be able to cling to power if you act at your will," added Dr Kamal, also president of Gono Forum, underscoring the need for the much talked about reforms for holding the next general elections in a credible manner.
Making their appearance for the first time in any programme of the Oikya Mancha, the leaders of the main opposition Awami League (AL) from the rally urged people to wage a vigorous movement against the four-party alliance government.
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Leaders of left-leaning parties and Bikalpa Dhara Bangladesh (BDB), eminent lawyers and economists also spoke at the rally.
The opposition leaders called for a greater unity of pro-liberation and democratic forces against the 'failed government' of BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, Bangladesh, Jatiya Party and Islami Oikya Jote.
About reforms of the caretaker government system Dr Kamal said, "Chief of the caretaker government should be a person acceptable to all and there should be nothing to question about his neutrality."
He asked the government to seek the opinions of opposition parties and eminent citizens before appointing the chief election commissioner (CEC) and other commissioners to form a credible Election Commission (EC).
The eminent jurist said the EC should have its own employees who will be involved in election related activities. Besides, he suggested empowering the EC to deploy armed forces during elections on permission of the interim government.
Stressing the need for making people aware of the reforms, Dr Kamal urged the like-minded political parties to form joint teams at grassroots level immediately and hold rallies in district and upazilas to mobilise people.
BDB chief and former president Badruddoza Chowdhury said reforms are a must for a credible election. The demand for electoral reforms will have to be realised through greater unity of people, he suggested.
"The then prime minister rejected the demand for caretaker government in 1996 though we, a few BNP leaders, were in favour of the system. But she was later compelled to meet the demand," said the former top BNP leader.
"This time also she will meet the demands after a mass upsurge," Badruddoza said.
Referring to the provision of appointing the immediate-past chief justice as head of the caretaker government, the former president said the government has extended the retirement age for High Court judges only to appoint a party man as chief adviser.
Badruddoza said internal conflicts are developing in the ruling coalition and two of its components have already made public statements against BNP and Jamaat. "You will see more conflicts in the alliance soon," he said.
AL General Secretary Abdul Jalil urged the opposition parties to join street agitation in a bid to oust the BNP and Jamaat-led coalition and pave the way for general election under a neutral, non-party caretaker government.
"The pro-liberation and democratic political parties and organisa-
tions should unitedly launch an oust-government movement to free people from misrule," he said.
Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal President Hasanul Haq Inu said, "The state machinery has proved a failure and armed fundamentalists are attacking pro-liberation forces."
Demanding immediate resignation of the government, Inu said, "We want to see Awami League chief Sheikh Hasina and other leaders like Dr Kamal Hossain, Badruddoza Chowdhury and other progressive parties on a common platform."
Vice-chairman of Bangladesh Bar Council Rokanuddin Mahmud echoed the JSD leader and said unity of progressive democratic forces can save people from the misdeeds of the present government.
President of Gono Azadi League Abdus Samad, Gano Forum General Secretary Saifuddin Ahmed Manik, its leaders Pankaj Bhattacharya, Zahirul Islam, Abdur Rouf, Mostafa Mohsin Montu, BDB General Secretary Abdul Mannan, Workers Party of Bangladesh leader Fazle Hossain Badsha, General Secretary of Bangladesh Economic Association Abul Barakat, General Secretary of Krishak Sramik Janata League Fazlur Rahman and Mahi B tCChheorCwaldlyhC.ury pof oBDlBlsalso spoke at