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Fair polls impossible under partisan govt

Observe speakers at roundtable; press 2 top parties for talks

Staff Correspondent
Civil society members and political analysts fear a political debacle unless the two major parties settle the issue of caretaker government through dialogues on an urgent basis.
A fair and acceptable election is not possible under the partisan government and interim arrangements should be in
place to hold the next national polls, observed most of the speakers at a roundtable yesterday.
The roundtable titled "What is the way to overcome the ongoing political crisis?" organised by Sushashoner Janney Nagorik (Sujan) was held at the Jatiya Press Club in the capital.
These observations came at a time when the main opposition BNP and its allies have declared an ultimatum for the government to restore the caretaker government system by june 10. On the other hand, the prime minister is sticking to her party's stance that the polls will be held under the political government.
"There is no guarantee that the election will be free and fair when three hundred MPs will be in power. No-one can say they would not intervene in their respective constituencies," said former election commissioner Brig Gen (retd) M Sakhawat Hossain.
It is not necessary that the caretaker government has to be restored, he said, adding that the political parties instead may consider forming a coalition cabinet with representation from different political parties after
dissolving the present parliament.
"The present situation cannot continue," said eminent jurist Dr Kamal Hossain, urging the lawmakers to work for people, who are the ultimate source of power.
"MPs cannot use people's mandate against people," he observed.
Sujan Secretary Dr Badiul Alam Majumder said a political compromise between the ruling party and the main opposition on the 15th Amendment to the Constitution is a must for the sake of democracy.
The 15th Amendment says the election will be held three months before tenure of parliament ends. It also abolishes the caretaker system, which is totally rejected by BNP and its allies that have been taking to the streets for its restoration.
"Many think failure of the two political parties to compromise will hinder peaceful power transfer through polls and create a scope for illegal grabbing of power," Badiul Alam added.
Legal expert Shahdeen Malik said if Awami League sticks to its stance and holds the polls, BNP will boycott it, leading eventually to grave consequences for the ruling party.
Prof Emazuddin Ahmed suggested a coalition government, if not the caretaker one, for the polls. "The solution must be political, nothing else," he added.
Awami League leader Mahmudur Rahman Manna said the present crisis would deepen unless the two main political parties sit together. "Nothing but such crises in the past paved the way for the 1/11,” he said.
Leftist leader Rashed
Khan Menon, MP, ally to the ruling party, asked the speakers to come forward with proposals on the model of the interim gov-ernment which they demand.
Referring to international media reports, BNP advisory council member Inam Ahmed Chowdhury said involvement of any external forces amid political crisis is unwanted.
ASM Shahjahan, adviser to a former caretaker government, rights activist Dr Hameeda Hossain, independent lawmaker Fazlul Azim, Prof Tareque Shamsur Rahman, leftist leader Ruhin Hossain Prince and Jahangirnagar University Prof Dr Pias Karim also spoke at the discussion moderated by M Hafizuddin Khan, former adviser to a caretaker government.