The leaders of the Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) have called on the interim government to announce the date for the national election by January 15, emphasizing that reforms should not be limited to mere word choices but must involve discussions with political parties and other stakeholders.
They made this appeal during a rally organized by the CPB at Suhrawardy Udyan in Dhaka on Friday afternoon.
Criticizing the previous Awami League government, the leaders stressed the need for leftist parties to unite to save the country and move forward. Several demands were presented at the rally, including lowering the prices of essential goods, ensuring public safety, providing justice for the July-August killings, rehabilitating the affected, and announcing a specific date for prompt elections to establish democracy.
CPB President Mohammad Shah Alam said: “Take special initiatives to resolve the crises in public life and ensure safety for life and property. Announce a specific date for the national parliamentary election. Reforms should go beyond word choices, requiring concrete steps through discussions with political parties and others.”
CPB General Secretary Ruhin Hossain Prince added: “The interim government has yet to address the market system. We must remain vigilant against the forces of fallen autocracy. India wants to dominate Bangladesh and seeks to install their allies in power. Leftist parties must unite to protect the country and drive it forward.”
Prince also said: “To prevent apolitical forces from prolonging their power, elections must be held promptly. We urge that the election date be announced by January 15.”
He further announced that starting January 10, specific steps would be taken to engage with various political parties, organizations, and individuals to build consensus and unity.
The CPB also raised other demands, including reducing production costs and prices of essential goods, establishing rationing and fair-price shops, taking action against syndicates, improving law and order, ensuring safety of life and property, stopping land grabbing and extortion, preserving the history and heritage of the Liberation War, and taking effective measures to meet the demands of workers, farmers, and the working class. Additionally, they called for standing against plunder, communalism, imperialism, and hegemony.
The rally announced a nationwide "March for Democracy" program to be observed from January 20 to 27. Following the rally, a red-flag procession marched through Shahbagh and various streets, concluding at Paltan.