Raushan Ershad meets president, calls for timely election

A delegation, led by Jatiya Party’s Chief Patron and opposition leader in the parliament Raushan Ershad, paid a visit to President Mohammed Shahabuddin at Bangabhaban in the capital on Sunday.

The delegation entered the Bangabhaban at around 12 noon.

Raushan's son and JP MP Saad Ershad, Opposition Chief Whip Moshiur Rahman Ranga, JP MP Rowshan Ara Mamnan, and Kazi Mamunur Rashid, spokesperson of the opposition leader are part of the delegation.

During the meeting, Raushan Ershad told the president that the upcoming 12th parliamentary election must be held within the due time in accordance with the constitution.

In the one-and-a-half-hour discussion with the president, she proposed to change the schedule and take steps to hold a dialogue with the political parties for the sake of participation of all parties in the polls.

The opposition leader in the parliament urged the head of the state to extend the deadline for nomination paper submission as November 30 is the deadline for filing income tax returns.

Jatiya Party Chief Whip Moshiur Rahman Ranga told the media that this is the first meeting with the president after his returning to the country following his medical treatment abroad. The opposition party leaders have inquired about his physical condition as well.

He said: "Due to the constitutional obligation, the election must be held at the stipulated time. Party leaders requested the president to discuss with everyone to make the election participatory and in a festive manner.”

Besides, as the last day for submission of income tax return is the last day for submission of nomination papers, they also requested whether the schedule can be changed by discussing with the Election Commission.

Ranga mentioned that the president will have discussions with the prime minister regarding talks with all political parties.