Raushan calls for participatory elections avoiding violence

Opposition leader Raushan Ershad urged the political parties to participate in a participatory, free, fair and impartial election by avoiding violence in the 12th National Assembly elections.

She said this while addressing the valedictory speech in the 11th Parliament at its last session on Thursday adding that the government in the country should be changed through elections.

“That election must be free, fair, impartial and participatory,” she said.

She said that it would be good if everyone is invited to participate in the 12th parliament elections.

The Jatiya Party‍‍`s Chief Patron also mentioned that many countries are trying to influence the national parliament elections of Bangladesh to strengthen their position in the geopolitical game.

She said that the issues are so sensitive that if there is no national consensus to protect the country‍‍`s interests, there is a danger of falling into a dangerous situation.

“Political leaders should think about it. If there is no national consensus in international relations, if one political party supports one country, It will bring danger to all.”

She said that there is a cold war going on globally over the spread of influence in geopolitics.

“Bangladesh does not have the ability to play in the international geopolitical game. It would be wise not to participate in this big game,” she said.

The opposition party leader said that despite the development, not everyone could be a part of it.

“If inequality in a country continues for a long time, then not only the development in those countries but also the social structure weakens,” she said.

She mentioned that regional disparities are increasing in the country. “Inequality is increasing along with development.”

The opposition leader said that Jatiya Party was the opposition party in the 10th Parliament and the current 11th Parliament elections.

She said that the 10th and 11th parliaments were more effective than any previous parliaments.

“The opposition did not only oppose the government in Parliament, it also praised the good works of the government and criticised the bad works.”

She said that in a parliamentary democracy, Parliament is the centre of all activities.

“The Jatiya Party is always playing a sincere and responsible role to make Parliament vibrant, participatory and effective.”

She said that opposition MPs attended every session, participated in legislative activities and joined various discussions and made constructive criticism.

Jatiya Party Secretary General Mujibul Haque Chunnu at the parliament, however, urged the Prime Minister to bring all the parties to the discussion table before the 12th National Assembly elections.

Highlighting the last October 28 incident, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina once again refused to hold talks with BNP. The prime minister also asked who said to sit with ‍‍`the animals‍‍` by calling those associated with the violence as animals. He came up with this remark at her closing speech at the parliament.