DHAKA: Nagorik Oikya convener Mahmudur Rahman Manna on Friday (April 21) remarked that ruling Awami League is using religion for its political gain.

He made the remark while addressing a discussion on remembering the announcement of the formation of the first government of Independent Bangladesh, its historic significance and today’s Bangladesh at Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU).

Manna said on one side, the AL-led government conducted trials against the top leaders of the religion-based biggest political party (Jamaat-e-Islami) for their crimes against humanity and on the other hand, they are forming an alliance with other religion-based parties to draw their vote banks.

This is why the government ordered to cover a sculpture (Lady Justicia) at the Supreme Court as they demanded. This is called doing politics in the name of religion, he added.

The Nagorik Oikya convener also remarked that AL is not a party freedom fighters’ anymore.

The former Daksu VP also called for upgrading the Constitution as per Amartya Sen’s definition of democracy.

He further said people do not like to see both Awami League and BNP in power. They are looking for a third power.

“This is why I am asking all to form an alliance so that an alternative can be formed to lead the people,” he added.

With Nagorik Oikya president Sheikh Abdun Noor in the chair, general secretary Syed Harun-Ar-Rashid, Dhaka University Professor Abul Kashem Fazlul Haque, general secretary of Bangladesh Muktijoddha Sangshad Noeem Jahangir and Advocate Taslima Rana were, among others, present here.

BDST: 1602 HRS, APR 21, 2017
SR