Following the announcement of five-point demands by political platforms led by AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury and Dr Kamal Hossain, the ruling Awami League said that the government will not give in to any demand that contradicts with the Constitution.
On Saturday, Badrudozza-led Jukto Front and Dr Kamal-led Jatiya Oikya Prokriya formally announced their pledge forging what they described as greater national unity.
A senior lawyer, Dr Kamal heads his own political outfit the Gano Forum while the Jukto Front led by Bikalpadhara Bangladesh chief Badrudozza consists of ASM Abdur Rob's Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) and Mahmudur Rahman Manna's Nagorik Oikya.
The ruling Awami League, however, has welcomed the move. Speaking at event on Saturday, party President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said, “The political coalition formed ahead the elections can even hold public rallies at the Suhrawardy Udyan.”
During a media call at the National Press Club, the new alliance presented their five-point demands including a non-party polls-time administration.
It also includes dissolution of parliament before the announcement of the polls schedule, reconstitution of the Election Commission with acceptable persons, withdrawal of false cases against the leaders and activists of quota reform and road safety movements and release of all detained political leaders, deployment of army with magistracy power one month ahead and ten days after the national polls and scrapping plans to use electronic voting machines.
They also presented a nine-point declaration. The leaders said that balance of power among the parliament, government, president and prime minister will have to be ensured for holding an inclusive and credible general election.
Senior Awami League leaders, however, have made it clear that no ‘anti-constitutional demands’ will be entertained.
“The 11th national election will be held in line with the Constitution. There will be no exceptions. So we are not concerned about the demands. We will see whether the demands by Jukto Front contradict with the Constitution,” said Adbur Razzak, who sits on the party’s policymaking Presidium.
Joint General Secretary Mahbubul Alam Hanif echoed. “Despite of whichever front demands whatever, everything will be held in line with the Constitution.”
No one has to raise a reasonable demand to the Awami League, said Presidium Member Faruk Khan.
“But then again an unreasonable demand will not yield anything. The Awami League is not concerned at all over these demands,” said the former minister.
His colleague at the party Presidium Kazi Zafarullah made it clear that any such demands will not be considered. “Demands not in line with the Constitution are not acceptable,” he said.