Regarding the current political situation in the country, experts have said that there is no alternative to dialogue to resolve the ongoing political crisis. A compromise can only be reached through dialogue. There is dialogue even in war. If there is a dialogue, there should be mutual trust, there should be a mentality of giving concessions. There is a definite agenda to be set, so that we can avoid crises in the future. The problem needs to be solved at the negotiating table.
The prominent people of the country said these things in a national dialogue organized at CIRDAP auditorium on Topkhana Road in the capital on Monday (October 9).
The dialogue was held in collaboration with Sushaner Jonnya Nagarik (Sujan), an initiative of The Hunger Project. It highlights the views and recommendations received from participants in eight divisional workshops held across the country.
Political scientist Dr. Rownak Jahan was the guest in the dialogue. Executive member of Sujan Justice MA Matin, local government expert Dr. Tofail Ahmed, former Cabinet Secretary Ali Imam Majumdar, executive member of Sujan Professor Robayet Ferdous, prominent banker Nurul Amin and others.
Among the political party leaders who spoke were Awami League MP Nahim Razzak, former BNP MP Advocate Harun Or Rashid, Nagrik Oikya President Mahmudur Rahman Manna, CPB General Secretary Ruhin Hossain Prince, Gono Sanghati Andolon Chief Coordinator Jonaid Saki, Bangladesh Samajtantrik Party(BSD) Joint Secretary Rajekuzzaman Ratan, Gono Adhikar Parishad President Nurul Haque Noor and others.
The dialogue was moderated by The Hunger Project's Global Vice President and Country Director and Secretary Dr. Badiul Alam Majumdar.
Dr. Badiul Alam Majumdar in his welcome speech said, 52 years have passed since independence. Even during this period we could not establish our democratic and electoral system. We hope our politicians will take necessary steps in this regard.
In his speech, Nahim Razzak said that although the demand for fair elections has been raised from various parties, no one can say in which process a fair election can be held. The responsibility should not be placed only on the government party and the ruling coalition. A consensus needs to be built on the electoral system. But it will not be right to create anarchy. There needs to be dialogue and compromise between political parties for a long-term solution.'
Political scientist Dr. Rownak Jahan said that there is no debate about the dialogue between the two major parties. But there is no consensus on dialogue. Political and legal reforms are needed to resolve the existing political crisis. But legal reforms alone will not solve the problem. At the same time, positive development of political culture is needed. Political parties need to have a consensus so that the lives and livelihoods of the party leaders who lost the elections are not affected.
Haroon- ar- Rashid said there is no alternative to dialogue for political reconciliation. Those who are not willing to sit in dialogue, they basically want to avoid the crisis. We feel that there needs to be a permanent solution to the political crisis. So many political and constitutional reforms are needed.
Mahmudur Rahman Manna said, in the dialogue held before the 2018 elections, the Prime Minister said, trust me, the elections will be fair, free and impartial. But the Prime Minister did not keep that promise. I think there is no more atmosphere for dialogue. Moreover, there is no sign of dialogue. There is a culture of fear among people. The government party is destroying the atmosphere of trust and confidence.
Ruhin Hossain Prince said that the electoral system of Bangladesh has gone into exile. There is no comprehensive reform of the system to strengthen and make the democracy and electoral system effective. Money game should be stopped in elections; proportional electoral system should be introduced. For this reason, we have to rely on the power of the people and do politics in the light of the liberation war.
Rajekuzzaman Ratan said, from the past experience, fair elections are not possible without a non-partisan government. Without a supportive electoral government, the Election Commission cannot perform its duties properly. Numerical proportional electoral system needs to be introduced to refine the electoral process.
Justice MA Matin said, in the outline of the three alliances made in 1990, it was said that we will solve future problems through dialogue. But our politicians have forgotten that promise. In this situation, reluctance has been created among people about politics. He said, "There is no alternative to dialogue to avoid possible conflict."
Ali Imam Majumder said, there needs to be institutional capacity and goodwill for fair elections. And there is no alternative to dialogue for greater reconciliation. Political parties have to do this with openness.