'Mass Dialogue' launched

"We want a peaceful and prosperous Bangladesh free from poverty, terrorism and corruption… we will continue our movement to form the future government envisaging people's opinion and expectation," they said at the 'Mass Dialogue' programme.

B Chowdhury, now president of Bikalpa Dhara Bangladesh, and Dr Kamal, president of Jatiya Oikya Mancha, formally opened the dialogue to work out the People's Manifesto in the next two months. The manifesto will incorporate recommendations for overcoming the pressing issues of terrorism and corruption and introducing a new political trend to get out of the rut.

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The two leaders told the people at Dinajpur Lok Bhaban auditorium: "We are optimistic that someday this People's Manifesto would bring about a change in the fate of the common people."

Spelling out the qualifications of a parliamentarian, the former president said minimum educational qualification of an MP must be graduation and the prime minister and members of cabinet should not have any link with any business.

"Police failed to check crimes because they were not allowed to function without political control. If the police could function neutrally, there would not have been the necessity of Rab, Cheetah or Cobra," said B Chowdhury, a renowned physician.

The noted jurist said people have no confidence in today's politics and for that "we have taken the initiative to frame the People's Manifesto". The next anti-government movement will have to be built on the basis of this People's Manifesto, he told the gathering and urged all to rally round the alternative stream of politics.

B Chowdhury said the country belongs to the people and demanded that MPs and persons holding the rank of secretaries submit their statements of account of property by December. "A list of those who accumulated huge wealth through illegal means will have to be prepared."

Appearing critical of the three year-rule of the alliance government, the ex-president said the government could not fulfil any single election pledge. "Rather, crimes, corruption, repression and persecution have increased alarmingly".

Khatibuddin Ahmed, convenor of Dinajpur Oikya Mancha, presided over the programme.