In this edition of Hello Washington (1-25-06) the topic of discussion was - Bangladeshi Political Parties Abroad: Their Role and Justification. Our panelists included Mr Khaled Hasan- President, Awami League, USA, Mr Abdul Latif Shamrat, President, BNP-USA and Dr A.K. Abdul Momen, Professor of Economics & Business Management.
Callers were interested in finding out when and how Bangladeshi political parties started to form in foreign countries, how this can benefit the Bangladeshis, is it legal, when will Bangladeshi citizens be able to vote abroad etcetera.
Mr Khaled Hasan is a businessman in Maryland and Virginia and a former professor of Economics. He said Awami League was organized in the USA in the eighties when there was dictatorship in Bangladesh.
Mr Abdul Latif Shamrat is a Division Director, New York City Transit-Information Technology and also the Executive Director of Bangladesh -American Chamber of Commerce, New York. He said they often have to refute allegations made by opposition abroad. He also feels a political party overseas can help citizens here and back home.
Dr A.K. Abdul Momen is a professor at Framingham State College, Boston, Massachusetts and also Chairperson of Democratic Party’s Local Committee for Minority and Humanitarian issues. Dr. Momen also served in Dukakis Presidential Campaign and Kerry Presidential campaign. He feels many things can be done overseas for the benefit of the people here and in Bangladesh independent of a party.
Masuma Khatun hosted the show.
