DHAKA: Center for Policy Dialogue (CPD) distinguished fellow Dr. Rounaq Jahan on Saturday said there is no alternative to practice of democracy inside the party, if we want to establish real democracy. 

Rounaq came up with the assertion when presenting the key paper at a dialogue titled ‘Political Parties and Democracy in Bangladesh’ organized by the CPD at BRAC Centre Inn in the city’s Mohakhali area.

Rounaq said, “The dynastical leadership is not only exists in Awami League (AL) and BNP but also in Jamaat-e-Islam and Jatiya Party; for this reason, frustration gripes the party leaders, who are out of the family leadership.”

“At the present, seven relatives of Sheikh Hasina have been elected in the present parliament; in the same way, relatives of HM Ershad and Khaleda Zia have also been elected too”, she added.

Rounaq, at her key paper, said, “Most of the AL men favored to uphold the caretaker system, but when they saw the prime minster did not favoured it, then they took stances to abolish the system, which reflects that none can go against the party chief.”

Speaking at the function, political analyst professor Imtiaz Ahmad said, “No great leader has emerged from political family, so why it is not possible here (in Bangladesh)”.

“Family politics is a harmful to the good governance, each party should come on the decision on some important issues; democracy would not be strengthened unless the nexus among Al, BNP and the army is stopped,” he added.

Imtiaz said, “The party takes over power which is favored by the army that is to be stopped to strengthen the democracy.”

Professor Rehman Sobhan, BNP standing committee member Barrister Moudud Ahmed, Water Resources minister Barrister Anisul Islam Mahmud, Sushasoner Jonno Nagorik general secretary Badiul Alam Majumder, and CPD Executive Director Mustafizur Rahman, among others, spoke at the function.

BDST: 1904 HRS MAY 15, 2014