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ELECTORAL REFORMS

Left parties ask govt to initiate talks

STAFF CORRESPONDENT
Left 11-party alliance yesterday asked the government to take initiative for discussion with the opposition parties on reforms in caretaker government and electoral systems.
"We, the opposition, have already placed the reform proposals and its now up to the government to call for discussion on those," Dr Kamal Hossain, leader of the left alliance, told a press conference at the Jatiya Press Club.
"Only a phone call from Mannan Bhuiyan [BNP secretary general] to Abdul Jalil [Awami League general secretary] or any of the 11-Party leaders will suffice to kick off the discussion," he observed.
Asked about government's offer to discuss the proposals in parliament, Dr Kamal, also the Gono Forum president, said the discussion will have to be held outside parliament and the decisions that will come out of the talks will be She ^tar
implemented through the House.
He said similar issues in the past were settled through discussion outside parliament.
Convenor of the 11-Party and Workers Party General Secretary Bimal Bishwas said the opposition combine's demand for reforms in electoral and caretaker government systems has already become a popular demand. He said the opposition will go for a united movement if the government does not take initiative to resolve the issue through discussion.
"The 11-Party will continue working towards cementing the current unity among the opposition parties that are now in a simultaneous movement," he said, calling for the other parties, who are out of the unity, to join hands with the opposition combine.
Leaders of the Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB), a key component of the 11-Party alliance, were not present at the press conference.
"Communist Party is not with us for the time being but we hope they will join us soon," Bimal Biswas said.
Replying to a query, Dr Kamal criticised the government for describing the opposition demands as 'unrealistic and unconstitutional'.
He recalled discussion of three alliances, after the fall of military ruler HM Ershad, for reaching a consensus on interim government.
"The same person, who now holds the portfolio of law ministry, was the vice president during the despotic rule of general Ershad. At that time too, he with the same tone termed the three alliances' move for interim government unconstitutional," he said in an oblique refer-
ence to Moudud Ahmed.
"It's quite possible to find an acceptable person as the caretaker government chief as well as meet the other proposals if we could sit down with open minds," he said.
"I wonder why should the government be reluctant to hold discussion outside the parliament," he said.
Dr Kamal said, "Government could at least give any of the senior opposition leaders a call before
appointing the chief election commissioner and it's a democratic
norm."
"We are ready to accept any
democratic and secular party in the opposition alliance," he added.
Those who want to use black money and criminals in elections, want to use religion as a tool for seeking votes, and who have made a quick buck through corruption are against the reforms, he said.
Asked about almost identical reactions of CPB General Secretary Mujahidul Islam Selim and ruling BNP Secretary General Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan to the proposal for consensus appointment of the caretaker government chief, Rashed Khan Menon said, "It's unfortunate for us."
CPB general secretary and BNP secretary general in their reactions had described the proposal as unrealistic.
The left alliance yesterday announced its own programme to mobilise public support in favour of the 31-point reform proposals. The left leaders will hold rallies at city's Mirpur area on July 23, Demra on July 24, and Hazaribagh on July 25. Besides, they will hold a rally at the Muktangon on July 26 to protest the price hike of essentials. They will hold rallies at district levels, starting from August 8 to continue till August 31.