“National dialogue is a good way…. let’s sit (for dialogue) without creating any crisis. Let’s take the decision through this dialogue how to form an elected government and a parliament through holding the election as per the constitution,” he said.
Dr Kamal, also Gano Forum president, further said, “A sane person cannot play such a game staged with the country’s 17 crore people on December 30. This can’t be done unless one is mentally imbalanced.”
He was addressing a discussion organised by his party at Dhaka Reporters’ Unity (DRU) marking the Homecoming Day of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
The Jatiya Oikyafront chief also claimed that they had to see a ‘farce’ on December 30 in the name of an election, saying, “It won’t bring any legality and stability. This can in no way be accepted. It’s not right legally and constitutionally.”
He questioned whether anyone can call the December-30 election a free and fair one. “It’s regrettable what happened in the name of election even after the 48 years (of the Liberation War). It’s not supposed to happen.”
Dr Kamal, also the convener of the Jatiya Oikyafront, said the election was held on the night of December 29 instead of December 30. “Why did they do that? I would like ask them the reason behind doing such unusual acts. Is it a game? Is it fair to play a game with the country’s 17 crore people?”
He said no one should play such a game with the state and its people. “We all are saying the election was not held as per the laws and the constitution. No one is above the constitution. Everyone must obey the constitution.”
Stating that people are the owner of the country, the Gano Forum chief said it is not possible to elect people’s representatives without a fair and acceptable election. “Why’re they staging a farce in people’s name?”
Dr Kamal also said the December-30 election is a good example of political tricks. “I would like to urge, you please refrain from resorting to political tricks, and do everything as per the constitution through talks. There can be no alternative to that.”
He also recalled various events and incidents associated with Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujiubur Rahman during the Liberation War and his homecoming on January 10, 1972.
Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) president ASM Abdur Rob, Gano Forum executive president Subrata Chowdhury, general secretary Mostafa Mohsin Montu, ex-information minister Prof Abu Sayeed, among others, spoke at the programme.