Why tolerate unelected rulers, asks Oikya Front chief Kamal

Leaders who conspire to take away people’s right to vote are the enemies of freedom, Jatiya Oikya Front chief Kamal Hossain has said.

Senior Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 24 Dec 2018, 12:33 PM
Updated : 24 Dec 2018, 01:45 PM

Such politicians are descendants of Yahya Khan, the Pakistani president infamous for directing atrocities during Bangladesh’s Liberation War.

“The constitution declares that the nation belongs to the people. Our martyrs (of the Liberation War) dreamed that one day we would be able to vote,” Kamal said at a meeting at Dhaka’s National Press Club on Monday

Kamal, a top lawyer who led the drafting of Bangladesh’s first constitution, is leading the anti-government alliance competing in the Dec 30 election.

“It’s not just about voting, we have brought forward the freedom bestowed to us by the martyrs of our war. Voting can protect our freedom. So vote for the true representatives of your nation.”

“It is not acceptable that unelected persons will run our nation. That’s what our brothers are saying here, they’re saying unelected people are in government. Can we truly accept this?” he asked.

Kamal urged election officials, police and army personnel to be neutral in carrying out their duties.

“I don’t like to imagine that those tasked with organising our voting will betray their nation and commit acts for which they’ll be ashamed all their lives.”

“As for the people who claim our nation is divided, I tell them they’ve lost their minds. I tell them to see our unity. We have seen the Liberation War, the difficult year after that and also 1975, when we felt we lost everything we had.”

“Bangabandhu was afflicted, so was Tajuddin Bhai. But who saved the day? We saved it with our unity. Bangabir Kader Siddique, who is seated next to me, has fought oppression,” said Kamal. 

“Those who think they can shut us up with threats live in a fool’s paradise. Bengalees are unafraid by nature. Come and meet us face to face. Bring your goons, guns and the weapons you have been using to beat up opposition supporters across the nation,” Kamal said.

“Those who harass ordinary people are cowards. It is simply impossible to kill off 170 million people.”  

‘ARMY TO ENSURE FAIR POLLS’

The Oikya Front chief has hoped that the deployment of the army will create an atmosphere favourable to fair polls.

He expressed his view at a news conference hours after the troops were deployed at key points across the country as a strike force.

Dr Kamal said, “The nation expects the army to play the role it did in the past to ensure fair polls joined by all. They have a tough duty of creating election atmosphere to fulfil.” 

The Oikya Front leaders also alleged “armed attacks” on their candidates and supporters continued on Monday.

They slated the Election Commission for its “failure to prevent the attacks” even after complaints. 

Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda earlier in the day said army deployment would boost the polls spirits.

The army will be able to act on their volition to calm the situation if any develops, according to Huda.

The army, however, has not been given magisterial powers as demanded by the Oikya Front and its key component the BNP.