Reach a consensus to expedite reforms, hold election: AB Party

Dhaka, 18 March – AB Party Chairman Mojibur Rahman Manju on Tuesday urged the interim government, political parties and revolutionary students to reach a consensus to expedite reform initiatives and rebuild the country by holding a free and fair election.

"It would be very sad if fascism reemerges due to divisions and conflicts among us, as we have long endured oppression under fascism," he said while addressing an iftar gathering.

The AB Party hosted the iftar in honour of top political leaders, foreign diplomats based in Dhaka, senior journalists, intellectuals and civil society members at a city hotel.

Manju warned that the resurgence of fascism, resulting from divisions within democratic forces, would also represent a clear betrayal of the sacrifices made by thousands of people.

"So, I urge the interim government, all political parties, conscientious citizens and the revolutionary student community to play their responsible roles in accelerating the great initiative of reform and reaching a consensus to rebuild the country through a fair election," he said.

BNP Standing Committee members Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Salahuddin Ahmed, Nagorik Oikya President Mahmudur Rahman Manna, 12-party alliance chief and Jatiya Party Chairman Mustafa Jamal Haider, Revolutionary Workers Party General Secretary Saiful Huq, Jatiya Nagorik Party convener and former adviser Nahid Islam, member secretary Akhter Hossain, joint convener Dr Tasneem Zara, Khelafat Majlis secretary general Dr Ahmed Abdul Quader, NDM Chairman Bobby Hajjaj, Gono Forum Executive President Advocate Subrata Chowdhury, BNP Vice Chairman Abdul Awal Mintoo, eminent political scientist Dr Dilara Chowdhury, Gono Odhikar Parishad General Secretary Rashed Khan, LDP Secretary General Shahadat Hossain Selim and eminent public health expert Professor Dr Mozaherul Haque, among others, were present.

Diplomats from different embassies and high commissions in Bangladesh, including the US, UK, Australia, Germany, Sweden, South Korea, Pakistan, Canada, the Netherlands, the EU, and Malaysia, also attended the iftar party.