The National Citizen Party on Saturday said that without ensuring trials of fascists and implementing reforms in different sectors the parliamentary elections would be meaningless and people would not accept such elections.
NCP convener Nahid Islam made the comment at a rally in Moulvibazar鈥檚 Berir Par area as part of the party鈥檚 ongoing programmes marking the first anniversary of the July uprising.聽
鈥榃ith the interim government coming into being, we had many dreams. We had many demands. But all our聽 dreams have given to only election demand,鈥� said Nahid while addressing the rally on the 26th day of the party鈥檚 countrywide march.
鈥榃e have said that we want elections. We are the force fighting for democracy. We are the force fighting for the voting right. But elections without trials and reforms will be meaningless. People will not accept such elections,鈥� said Nahid.
The NCP leader also stated that political parties should move towards elections with a greater consensus in favour of the progresses made in reforms.
Referring to the July uprising, Nahid said that the uprising leaders made a call for a new Bangladesh and a new settlement, asserting that Bangladesh would not run in the old system and according to old laws.聽
Nahid was also a former central leader of the Students Against Discrimination movement that spearheaded the July uprising to overthrow the Awami League regime on August 5.
Different forces are trying to run the country in the old system, said Nahid, adding that the NCP wanted to rebuild the country after ensuring trials, reforms, and a new constitution.
Concerning the wage issue of tea garden workers in the country, Nahid said that the wage was not adequate to maintain a family.
鈥榃e want a Bangladesh where a tea garden worker will get fair wage,鈥� Nahid told the rally.
A group of student and youth leaders, who led the uprising, formed the NCP on February 28.
Before the rally, party leaders, activists and supporters brought out a procession from the town鈥檚 Berir Par area to march to Kusumbag and the rally venue.
NCP leaders and activists, including party member secretary Akhter Hossen, senior joint convener Ariful Islam Adeeb, chief coordinator Nasiruddin Patwary, and joint convener Anik Roy, among others, participated in the march and the rally.
The NCP is scheduled to hold marches in all districts till July 30, demanding trial of the Awami League and its leaders for the massacres during the mass uprising, reforms in various sectors, and a new constitution aiming at building a discrimination-free Bangladesh.