Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Oikya Parishad today thanked the major political parties for including issues of the minority groups in their manifestos for the upcoming parliamentary election.

"We thank the country’s major political parties as they have recognised our equal rights and dignity in their polls manifestos," said Advocate Rana Dasgupta, General Secretary of the Parishad, a platform of different religious minority groups.

While addressing the press conference at Jatiya Press Club in Dhaka this morning, he said, “We want to believe that the parties’ pledges over the minority issues would be implemented after forming the government.”

During the press conference, Rana Dasgupta read out the relevant points of the manifestos of Awami League, BNP, Jatiya Oikyafront, Jatiya Party and Communist Party of Bangladesh and cited their pledges of protecting overall interest of the minority communities.

KEY POINTS OF AWAMI LEAGUE MANIFESTO:

1. Per capita income over $5,479 by 2030 

2. Social safety net coverage to double 

3. Form National Minority Commission and enact Special Minority Protection Act 

4. People-friendly law enforcement agencies

5. At least one earning-member in every family

KEY POINTS OF BNP MANIFESTO

1. Balance of power between the president and the prime minister’

2. No holding of the office of PM for more than two consecutive terms 

3. Deputy speaker from the opposition

4. Amendment to article 70

5. New ministry to protect minority interests

KEY POINTS OF JATIYA OIKYAFRONT MANIFESTO

1. Special tribunal for trial over ‘graft of this government’

2. Permanent HC branches at divisional headquarters 

3. Continuation of ongoing development projects

4. Stern action to bring back order in banking sector

5. New ministry to protect minority interests