A new chapter is going to be written Saturday in Bangladesh’s political history when two archrivals —the prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, and the leader of the opposition in parliament, Khaleda Zia — would vow together unison from the same dais to fight poverty. Hasina, the ruling Awami League president, and Khaleda, the main opposition BNP chairperson, have agreed to attend the anti-poverty rally at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre at 3:00pm on the day, transcending their usual bitter political animosities.

A 3-day countrywide programme has been chalked up, including the anti-poverty rally, first of its kind, to stage the orchestrated campaign from Friday to Sunday to mark International Poverty Alleviation Day on Saturday. Parliament, All-Party Parliamentary Group, the government and People’s Empowerment Trust with the support of the United Nations Millennium Campaign have organised the mega-event.

Speaker Abdul Hamid, also chairperson of the newly formed Anti-Poverty Campaign National Committee, said synchronised calls would be made to the countrymen by the two top leaders of the two main political parties of the country Saturday from the same dais for fighting against poverty. ‘It will remain as a unique instance not only in the history of Bangladesh but also in the world history,’ he told reporters.

The speaker made the announcement at a press conference at the Jatiya Sangsad Media Centre Thursday noon on the eve of the historic anti-poverty rally that will kick off a nationwide war on poverty. The theme of the anti-poverty rally is ‘Jatiya Oikya Rukhbe Daridra (National Unity will Face Poverty)’. The speaker, who will preside over the event, will administer oath at the national-unity meet at BICC when all in the assembly, including Hasina and Khaleda, will pronounce the oath all together, the reporters were told.

Chief whip Abdus Shahid and opposition chief whip Zainul Abdin Farroque, both co-chairpersons of the national committee, also spoke at the press conference. Replying to a question, Hamid said his initiatives and efforts to bring back the boycotting opposition BNP in parliament were on and would continue until they come back to the house. He hoped the initiative for the appearance of the two leaders on the same stage Saturday might accelerate the process of standing them on the same floor of parliament.

Replying to a question, the opposition chief whip, Zaiul Abdin Farroque, said Khaleda would join Saturday’s anti-poverty rally in the interests of democracy and alleviation of poverty. He said the BNP chairperson gave her consent responding to the letter sent to her by the speaker. ‘If the speaker takes initiative and creates congenial atmosphere, the BNP will join discussion on PRSP in the current parliament session,’ he said, indicating a thaw in the standoff. Replying to a question, the APPG secretary general, Shishir Shil, said the Anti-Poverty Campaign National Committee had approved a total of $1.28 lakh for the rally and other events in Dhaka and some campaign expenditure in districts. He said they got pledges for $65,000 from UNMC, of which $50,000 have been disbursed. Shihir, however, said they would advance targeting a $65,000 budget.

-New Age

Hasina, Khaleda to rally together against poverty

The Daily Star: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Leader of the Opposition Khaleda Zia will address an anti-poverty rally tomorrow from the same dais and take oath to fight together to eradicate poverty, Speaker Abdul Hamid said yesterday. The speaker will chair the rally and conduct the oath at Bangabandhu International Convention Centre in the capital as part of observance of the International Day for Eradication of Poverty.

Ministers, lawmakers, politicians, diplomats and civil society personalities have been invited to join the programme organised by the national committee for anti-poverty campaign headed by the speaker. To mark the day, the committee has also taken up different programmes across the country. These include holding rallies in cities, district towns and upazila headquarters. Donor agencies will provide $1.28 lakh for this.

Briefing journalists at parliament's media centre, Hamid said the presence of Sheikh Hasina and Khaleda Zia on the same dais as chief guest and special guest 'will be a major success.' Asked if he would take any initiative to ensure participation of lawmakers of the main opposition party BNP in the House discussion on the draft Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP), the speaker just said, “Taking step to bring them to parliament is normal.” He however did not specify any step to end BNP lawmakers' keeping off parliament sittings.

Opposition Chief Whip Zainul Abdin Farroque, who is a member of the national committee, was also present at the briefing. Replying to a question referring to Khaleda's addressing the anti-poverty rally, Zainul said they (BNP lawmakers) want to participate in the discussion on the PRSP. “We hope, the speaker will take necessary steps to create a congenial atmosphere in parliament so that we can join the discussion,” he said. When the speaker's attention was drawn to Zainul's remark, he said he would take fresh steps in this regard after tomorrow's programme.

BNP lawmakers have been boycotting the House proceedings since June over seating arrangements. Meanwhile, the House could not hold discussion on the PRSP on Sunday due to absence of a number of ministers and senior lawmakers. And it decided to hold the discussion anytime after it resumes sitting on October 28. Planning Minister AK Khandker yesterday placed the draft of the amended PRSP involving an estimated expenditure of Tk 3,108 billion to achieve its goals and targets.