Shun politics of confrontation

They urged the parties to arrive at a consensus to hold the election and carry forward the democratic process for development of the country.

The roundtable organised by two local dailies- Patradut and Dristipatwas held with assistance from the European Commission under a civic awareness program taken up by two local NGOsUttaran and Progoti.

The Patradut Executive Editor Abul Kalam Azad moderated the discussion, held at the Officer's Club in the town.

It was addressed by, among others, nomination aspirants district Awami League (AL) president Engineer Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Ghosh Sanat Kumar and former lawmaker BM Nazrul Islam of AL; former MP Habibul Islam Habib of BNP, advocate Mostafa Lutfullah and Union Parishad chairman Pranab Ghosh Bablu of Workers Party; Hossain Ali of Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), Abul Kalam Azad of Jatiya Party (JP), Dristipat Editor Nur Islam, Master Abdur Rouf, Zillur Rahman and Abul Kashem.

They also called upon the parties to nominate honest and efficient candidates in the coming election for development of the country as to institutionalise democracy.

Nominating 'clean' candidates has become a demand of the people, they said.

Transparency and accountability of the member of the parliament will have to be ensured for the sake of fulfilling people's aspirations, they added.

There is no alternative to continuation of political government. For that politicians should evolve a way for peaceful co-existence, they said.

They alleged that non-political people and black money holders are now controlling politics, sidelining devoted politicians as money plays an important role in politics. Corruption is increasing in fields due to this. This must change, they said.

Demanding compulsory registration of political parties, they said this is vital for ensuring a fair political process, free from corruption.