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Published:  03:15 AM, 10 August 2018

14 parties fearing more agitations before polls
 Students locked into clashes with police in the city on Monday. -AA
The ruling 14-party alliance is worried about some more probable agitations before the forthcoming polls. The leaders of the 14 parties have advised the government to stay alert to tackle such situations with political far-sight and sagacity.
Political sources have informed that leaders from different parties allied with Awami League have conveyed this suggestion to the government on Thursday at Workers Party's office on Topkhana Road in the capital during a meeting.Â  The participants of the meeting congratulated Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for her success to get the demonstrating students back into the classrooms leaving the roads and highways.
However, some leaders in the meeting expressed their disagreement over the Road Transport Act which was recently approved by the Cabinet. They said the law does not state the minimum punishment for road crashes. There are some more ambiguities in the law, they remarked.
The leaders of these parties said that the government should hold discussions with all stakeholders before the law is finalized. The participants of the meeting also talked about materializing the 9-point demands by the students who demonstrated for safe roads.
Jatiya Party's Secretary General Sheikh Shahidul Islam, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal's (JSD) President Sharif Nurul Ambia and socialistÂ  leader Dr. Wajedul Islam Khan have expressed anxieties over some more likely demonstrations before the upcoming elections.
They stated their trepidations with references to some issues like the minimum wages for readymade garments (RMG) workers, MPO (monthly pay order) inclusion of private schools and colleges and the unresolved dilemma over quota system for government jobs. Troublesome quarters may capitalize on these issues to destabilize the country ahead of the polls, the leaders commented.
Politburo member of Workers Party Anisur Rahman Mallik told media on Thursday that the leaders who attended the meeting spotlighted on the demonstrations by the students for safety on roads. Some opinions about the Road Transport Act were also exchanged, he added.
Anisur Rahman Mallik further said that the well-wishers of the government have urged the ruling party to immediately resolve the problems which might arise from RMG workers' wages, MPO inclusion and quota reforms.
Health Minister Mohammad Nasim told reporters after the meeting, "Students have opened up our eyes. The nation no longer wants to see any further negligence and irregularities caused by Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA)."
Mohammad Nasim said that Home Ministry should crack down hard on all unlicensed drivers and unfit vehicles. Nobody should be spared if traffic rules are violated irrespective of political or administrative position, he stated.
The meeting was also attended by Awami League's joint secretary general Abdur Rahman, organizing secretary Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury, assistant office secretary Biplob Barua, Sammyabadi Dal's secretary general Dilip Barua and some other leaders.