CPB tells govt, urges all to stay alert about plots to make Liberation War controversial
Leaders of the Communist Party of Bangladesh yesterday demanded that the interim government announce a specific time frame for an election by January 15 and clarify what it wants to do in the name of reforms.
They also urged everyone to remain vigilant against those attempting to make the Liberation War controversial or nullify the 1972 constitution.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star’s Google News channel. “You, the interim government, should set a time [for election]. Please clarify what you want to do in the name of reforms,” CPB General Secretary Ruhin Hossain Prince told a rally at Suhrawardy Udyan in the capital.
“… Talk with us; we will give advice. Dialogue [with political parties] was supposed to start on September 1, but it has not happened yet. It is necessary to build as much consensus as possible and begin your [government] work. The urgent task now is to announce a specific date for an election by January 15. There is no alternative to this.”
Several thousand people attended the rally, carrying red flags, banners, and festoons.
“If anyone thinks they have made a change and want to be in power for long, will they really be able to stay? There is an interim government in place. We say that we cannot understand what it thinks. However, it seems that the government is trying to cling to power, resorting to various tricks.
“We want to make it clear: the people could not cast their votes; they were aggrieved because a reign of terror had been established. They were aggrieved because of soaring prices of essentials. This is why Hasina was ousted. If you cannot reduce prices; if you cannot bring peace to people’s lives; if you listen to the World Bank and IMF; if you cannot drop the prices of oil, gas, and electricity; and if you plan to impose more VAT; then you are following the same system.”
He added that they do not want an unelected government to prolong its stay in power. “If the government attempts to remain in power for long, evil forces will take advantage of the situation.
Prince called for building a “leftist unity”, which will be an alternative to the two parties. He, however, did not mention their names.
“The country’s religious minorities feel insecure, which is unacceptable,” he said, urging the government to take steps to address the issue instead of denying it.
At the rally, Prince announced that his party would hold views-exchange meetings with political parties, organisations, and people from January 10.
The party will also organise a programme named “March for Democracy” across the country from January 20 to 27.
“The Liberation War of Bangladesh was a people’s struggle, and the victory is not a gift. We were prepared, and some extended their support because of that. For which, we are grateful. Today, 53 years after independence, those who dare to undermine the 1972 constitution must be held accountable,” said CPB President Mohammad Shah Alam.
He added that those playing games over the Liberation War must stop this immediately.
“Some quarters are unnecessarily creating a debate over whether reforms should come first or elections. Reforms and elections are not contradictory; they are complementary to each other. This is an ongoing process,” said Shah Alam.
Terming the interim government “weak”, he said that the country’s law and order is not under control.
Mob beating is taking place and indiscriminate filing of cases and arrests for money is going on, the CPB leader said, adding that people are expressing doubts about the government’s reform initiatives.
Former CPB president Mujahidul Islam Selim called upon all progressive and left-leaning parties to form a new Juktafront (united front).
He also urged the people to refrain from voting for boat, paddy sheaf, weighing scale, and plough symbols, saying that the parties using these electoral symbols are the same.
“If someone else comes and says that voting rights will not be ensured, that they will remain in power at any cost, carry out reforms, and stay in power until those reforms are completed, I would say such actions would not be different from what the Awami League did,” he added.
“We want to bury the Awami League’s narrative. However, if anyone seeks to discard its narrative by undermining the Liberation War, I want to tell everyone that we surrendered arms, not our training.”
The CPB leader added that the Jamaat-e-Islami has no right to do politics in the country as it worked as the auxiliary political force of the Pakistan occupation force during the Liberation War.
After the rally, the party took out a procession and marched through Shahbagh and several other places.