Certain inactive party does not want polls to be held: Home adviser
The response came after a journalist asked Jahangir whether recent clashes between the Gono Odhikar Parishad and Jatiyo Party were an attempt to derail the election
Home Affairs Adviser Lieutenant General (Retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury has said a political party, which is currently not involved in any activities, does not want the national election to be held.
The response came today (31 August) after a journalist asked Jahangir whether recent clashes between the Gono Odhikar Parishad and Jatiyo Party were an attempt to derail the election.
While responding to questions from journalists after a meeting of the core committee on law and order, the adviser also referred to recent unrest and said it may have been instigated by that political party, without naming any organisation.
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The adviser added that law enforcement agencies are working to ensure that the polls are not disrupted in any way.
Jahangir said the unity built among political parties after the fall of the fascist regime must be maintained.
While there may be differences in principles, policies and ideologies, political parties must set aside personal and partisan interests and remain united for the sake of national interest and a transition to democracy, he added.
If unity breaks down, fascist forces could take advantage and create chaos and anarchy, he remarked.
Talking about the upcoming general election, the adviser said that how free, fair and secure the national election will be depends largely on the participating political parties.
Law enforcement agencies are providing all possible cooperation in ensuring security and order, and will continue to do so, he added. "Only through cooperation from all sides can we deliver a free, peaceful, and festive election."
Since the interim government took office, there have been 1,604 blockades in Dhaka and surrounding areas, staged by 123 organisations, Jahangir mentioned.
These blockades cause public suffering, he said, adding, "Instead of blockading roads, such demonstrations should be held in designated venues, whether in open fields or Suhrawardy Udyan.
"Of course, people have demands and the right to voice them, but it should not be done at the expense of public suffering."
He said that apart from the national election, today's meeting also discussed the Dhaka University Central Students' Union (Ducsu), progress in cases filed over July incidents, narcotics control and the spread of fake news on social media.
