Anisul Islam Mahmud, chairman of a faction of Jatiya Party, has alleged that attempts are being made to push the party out of politics by labelling it an ally of Awami League.
He made the allegation while speaking at a press conference in Gulshan area of the capital on Saturday.
“Conspiracy to keep Jatiya Party out of elections is nothing new. Under the present law-and-order situation, there can never be a fair election,” he said.
“The government must not hold such an election that would lead to the rise of another fascism. If the constitution is to be followed, elections cannot be held under the proportional representation (PR) system.”
Referring to the past political history, Mahmud said, “Jatiya Party has never been involved in political killings. Conspiracies against us are not new. In 1990, there were many attempts to keep us out of the elections. The same happened after the formation of the Grand Alliance in 2006.”
If its participation in the 2014 and 2018 elections is considered a crime, others are equally guilty, as they contested both local and national elections under that elected government, he added.
ABM Ruhul Amin Hawlader, secretary general of the party, said, “We as a nation have reached a crossroads. August 5 is a historic day in our lives. Protesters are calling it a second independence. As a freedom fighter, I must say it should not be compared to 1971.”
“The chief adviser has announced an electoral timeframe, but there are widespread doubts about whether the election will even take place.”
Implementation of reforms will depend entirely on the next free and fair election. No reform in history can be written without Jatiya Party’s inclusion, Hawlader said.
Party’s Executive Chairman Mujibul Haque Chunnu, Senior Co-Chairman Kazi Firoz Rashid, Co-Chairman Syed Abu Hossain Babla, Presidium Member Saidur Rahman Tepa, former MPs Nasrin Jahan Ratna and Liakat Hossain Khoka, and Presidium Members Shafiqul Islam Sentu and Mobarak Hossain Azad, among others, were present.
