Referendum, national election on same day in no way acceptable: Ex-CPB president Selim
He also said the schedule for the national election must be announced immediately.
Interim government's decision to hold the referendum for July Charter on the same day as the national election is "in no way acceptable", former president of the Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) Mujahidul Islam Selim said today (14 November).
Speaking as the chief guest at CPB's national rally at Suhrawardy Udyan in the capital, he said, "There is no scope for imposing anything outside the consensus. The ruling government is pushing the country towards a prolonged cycle of conflict by enforcing constitutional orders and a referendum."
He also said the schedule for the national election must be announced immediately.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
Selim alleged that the interim government is deliberately aligning the country with US geopolitical interests, which will ultimately threaten Bangladesh's independence and sovereignty.
"We did not free the country from Pakistan's shackles through the great Liberation War to be bound by new chains of Indian or US imperialism," he added.
He further said Bangladesh has repeatedly fallen under authoritarian rule and the people have shed their blood to overthrow dictators.
"We do not want to see any new fascist, authoritarian, or dictatorial rule. The interim government is repeatedly creating concerns over the holding of a free, fair, and impartial national election," he added.
Among the distinguished intellectuals addressing the rally were veteran Marxist thinker Emeritus Professor Sirajul Islam Chowdhury. Leaders of other political parties also spoke, including Bangladesh Samajtantrik Dal (Basad) Chief Adviser Comrade Khalequzzaman and Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (Jasad) President Sharif Nurul Ambia.
