Politicians forget election manifestoes after coming to power: Speakers
November 12, 2008
Politicians, educationists, bureaucrats and experts on Tuesday said the political parties will have to be committed to make parliament effective whether they win in the elections or not.
They alleged that leaders of political parties give commitment in their manifestos that they will do everything for the welfare of the people before election but after coming to power they forget everything and start looting state properties and in misappropriating money in many ways.
They were discussing a roundtable meeting on “Election Manifestoes of Political Parties” held at the National Press Club yesterday. TIB Chief Muzaffer Ahmed, Prof Anwar Hossain, Asif Nazrul, Journalist Syed Abul Maksud, Badiul Alam Mazuder, Zaglul Ahmed Chowdhury and Former Secretary Abul Kalam Azad took part in the discussion.
Muzaffer Ahmed said considering the situation of rural poor people, the political parties will have to prepare their election manifestoes as around six crore voters out of 8.15 crore live in the villages.
“The political parties cannot avoid the interest of rural people as they elect the political parties to form the government. The political party which will form the next government will have to ensure smooth supply of diesel, seeds, fertiliser to the farmers. Side by side, the next elected democratic government will also have to control the abnormal price hike. And these will have to be included in their election manifestoes,” TIB Chairman said.
Replying to a query, Muzaffer said, “In the past I had no confusion over holding of parliamentary election on time and at present I am very much confident that the general poll will be held on December 18 as per government announcement as there is no alternative to holding election to restore democracy in the country.”
Referring to the impact of climate change, he said, the people of the country will lose one third of total land due to climate change within 2030-50. “To protect the country and its people, the next government will have to take long term plans. Otherwise, a disastrous situation will turn people landless.
Historian and Professor of Dhaka University Syed Anwar Hossain said the political parties will have to include a clear stand in their manifestoes regarding militancy and student politics. “The political leaders will also have to refrain from undemocratic attitude and politicisating all sectors,” he added.
Replying to a query, political analyst and Dhaka University teacher Asif Nazrul said if any fresh confusion is created among the people about holding of parliamentary election on time centering the arrest of Saifur Rahman, Matiur Rahman Nizami and Ali Ahsan Mojaheed, the government should take effective steps immediately to defuse the tension in order to hold the parliamentary election on time.
Source: The Bangladesh Today
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