Report in The Daily Star, Dec 30, 2023
BNP Standing Committee member Abdul Moyeen Khan today said time is still there for the Awami League-led government to hold talks with political parties to get out of the political crisis.
He also urged the ruling party to do politics understanding the character and psychological traits of the people of Bangladesh.
He made the remarks while addressing the inaugural function of the biannual council of a faction of the Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) at the Jatiya Press Club.
Though the election is eight days away, Moyeen thinks the government still has time to hold a political dialogue with the political parties to resolve the political crisis and find a way to hold a credible and participatory election in the country.
“January 7 is still far away…hold talks to get out of this violent confrontational politics. I am requesting you as you are in the government. So, it’s your responsibility to take the key decisions in this regard,” he said.
The BNP leader also said the political parties must return to the principle of peaceful coexistence avoiding conflict for the sake of the country and the restoration of democracy.
He also alleged that the government is not willing to hold a fair election only because of its fear of losing power.
“Awami League fears it’ll get defeated if a fair and impartial election is held now in Bangladesh. That’s why they are not holding a free and fair election. That’s the main reason, no matter who says what,” he said.
Moyeen, also a former information minister, said media can play a very strong role in holding the government accountable to the country’s people.
“The newspaper is called the Fourth State…newspapers are so important in the modern world. The major duty of the media is to hold those who run the country accountable to the people. For this reason, all governments across the world fear the media,” he observed.
The BNP leader also said media outlets are more powerful than the government as they can ensure the fall of any administration using their pens.
Accusing the government of gagging the media, he called upon the journalists to get united removing division and conflict among them to ensure press freedom.
https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/national-election-2024/news/still-have-time-hold-talks-get-out-crisis-moyeen-tells-al-3506071
