Ensure internal democracy

Dr Badiul Alam Majumder speaks at a roundtable titled 'Review of the constitutions of major political parties' at the Jatiya Press Club in the city yesterday. On his left are M Hafizuddin Khan and Dr Zafarullah Chowdhury and on his right is Mujahidul Islam Selim. PHOTO: STAR

They also observed that crimes, terrorism, nepotism and dynastic politics -- some of the prevailing problems in politics would not disappear until the political parties themselves establish and practise internal democracy.

They also emphasised the need to strengthen state-run institutions and sectors to establish real democracy.

Shushashoner Janney Nagarik (Shujan) organised the roundtable titled 'Review of the constitutions of major political parties' at the Jatiya Press Club in the city.

The speakers strongly criticised the major political parties, including the Awami League and BNP, for establishing dynastic politics and not practising internal democracy.

They said the party constitutions should have specific provisions regarding powers of the party chiefs in order to avoid dictatorship. There should also be provisions for punishment in the event of violations of constitutions by the party chiefs.

Presenting the keynote paper, Dr Badiul Alam Majumder, secretary of Shujon, said there is no mention of democracy in the constitutions of BNP and Jatiya Party.

There is no transparency in the funding for the AL, BNP and JP, he said, adding that these three parties are also accused of selling nominations.

"So, there is no alternative but to reform the political parties to strengthen democracy," he said.

Eminent economist Prof Muzaffer Ahmad said if the political parties do not practise internal democracy, they could not establish democracy in the country after assuming power.

He called for developing self-criticism within the political party and among the leaders so that they can find out the real problems.

Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) leader ASM Abdur Rob said the main problems lie with the state system, not with the political parties themselves.

He called for initiating a new system so that the prime minister could not exercise immense power.

Prof Syed Anwar Hossain of Dhaka University said those who do not have specific educational qualifications and the anti-liberation elements must be barred from politics.

Sheikh Shahidul Islam, secretary general of Jatiya Party (Manju), and Dr Asif Nazrul stressed the need to make the registration of the political parties mandatory.

Media personality Muhammad Jahangir said the political parties must take into account the educational qualifications of a candidate before giving them the party nomination for parliamentary elections.

Mujahidul Islam Selim, general secretary of Communist Party of Bangladesh, blamed the AL and BNP for the present situation.

Dr Zafarullah Chowdhury, project coordinator of Ganoshasthya Kendra, said dynastic politics has pushed the country towards a dangerous situation.

"If the political parties do not under reforms, the caretaker government should impose reforms on them," he said, stressing the need for decentralisation of powers in the state system as well as political parties to curb corruption.

Misbahur Rahman Chowdhury, chairman of Bangladesh Islami Oikya Jote, said the retired government officials who have entered politics have spoiled the politics and politicians.

He also demanded that war criminals be barred from politics.

Dr Matiur Rahman, Shah Abdul Hannan, Mohiuddin Ahmed, Ilyas Kanchan, Rafiqul Islam Sarkar, Dewan Sultan Ahmed, AZM Abdul Ali and ATM Kamal also spoke at the discussion moderated by former adviser to the caretaker government M Hafizuddin Khan.