Staff Correspondent

Economically backward section of people at a rally stressed on taking necessary steps, including ensuring representation in the decision making process of the state, for improving their economic condition for the sake of the country’s economic development.

The target of achieving our national development would not be fulfilled by excluding the economically backward people, they observed while addressing the rally in front of the National Press Club on Wednesday.

Held under the banner of Bangladesh Bhumihin Andolon, the rally was organized to press the demand for ensuring the inclusion of landless, farmers, workers, and fishermen in the decision making process of the state.

While presiding over the event, Sheikh Nasir Uddin, central general secretary of Bangladesh Bhumihin Andolon, said poor people (landless, workers, farmers and weavers) had played important roles in different national movement in the country’s history, but their economic condition is yet to be improved.

Different political parties had utilized the poor people as part of their strategy to go to power, but they did not take proper steps for improving the condition of the poor people, he said.

Samiul Alam Rasu, joint general secretary of Bangladesh Bhumihin Andolon, said we are majority people in the country, but we have no representation in national decision making process. He demanded the inclusion of backward people in the decision making process by amending national constitution.

Nandini Luiza, senior vice president of the organization, said about 75% people, whose main livelihood is agriculture-based, live in the rural areas.

Shamsuddin Rakib, finance secretary, Md. Mohsin Mia, office secretary, Monwara among others, also spoke.

Speakers called upon the backward section of people to be united to realize their demands.