Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed has said the demands put forward by Dr Badruddoza Chowdhury and Dr Kamal Hossain-led “greater national unity”are not acceptable.
The minister was talking to reporters regarding the demands, at the secretariat on Sunday.
Earlier on Saturday, Dr Badruddoza Chowdhury-led Juktofront and Dr Kamal Hossain-led Jatiya Oikya Prokriya formally announced the journey of a “greater national unity” to ensure “functional democracy” in the country, through holding a credible national election, reports UNB.
They placed some demands which include dissolving parliament before the announcement of the schedule of the upcoming national election; forming a poll-time impartial government in consultation with all the political parties; reconstituting the Election Commission with acceptable persons to ensure a free, fair and neutral election; ensuring all political parties' freedom of speech and association; withdrawing the “false cases” filed against leaders and activists of all the political parties and students who waged the quota reform and safe road movements; releasing the political prisoners and not arresting any political leaders and activists until the election is over.
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The minister said the demands of the “greater national unity” cannot be met as those go against the country's constitution.
“The next election will be held as per the constitution and as per the schedule of the Election Commission under the ruling party as all countries in the world like Australia and USA,” he added.
Tofail also said: "A party can join in the new alliance. We have welcomed the alliance led by Dr Badruddoza Chowdhury and Dr Kamal Hossain for their initiative of forging greater national unity.
The minister further said: "Dr Kamal did not win any election before and I hope he wins something this time. People do not like those who change parties frequently."
Referring to BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir's visit to UN Headquarters at the invitation of its secretary general, Tofail said: "I'm astonished that Mirza Fakhrul has gone to New York at the invitation of UN secretary general which in not true, Fakhrul has met with the assistant secretary.
“By making complaint to the world, no one can resist the next election of Bangladesh as it is an independent and a sovereign country,” he said.
