Bangladesh News

The Awami League (AL), BNP and Jatiya Party (JP) yesterday demanded that the caretaker government hold an “unconditional” dialogue with the political parties to find out a solution to the existing political crisis in the country.

AL acting President Zillur Rahman dismissed any possibility of sitting in the dialogue with any kind of condition imposed by the government.

“The government will have to hold an unconditional dialogue with the political parties to put an end to the current crisis,” Zillur told newsmen at his Gulshan residence yesterday.

BNP Joint Secretary General Nazrul Islam Khan told The Daily Star last night that no dialogue will be logical with conditions imposed on the parties.

The presence of the chiefs of BNP and AL–Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina–is also necessary to make the dialogue meaningful, he told different television channels yesterday.

Nazrul pointed out that the then Pakistan government even withdrew the Agartola conspiracy case against Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and others and released them to sit in a dialogue to end the political crises of the time.

JP acting Chairman Anisul Islam Mahmud said, “We do not think any dialogue will be successful with conditions imposed.” He also dismissed the possibility of participating in the dialogue if war criminals are invited to it.

He said although the government considers the political parties as its opponents, the parties are not so. “We want to help the government hold a free and fair election in the country,” Anisul said.

Education and Commerce Adviser Hossain Zillur Rahman meanwhile told journalists yesterday that the preparation for holding the dialogue with the political parties is going on.

AL BRIEFING
The AL acting president said the positive environment required for holding a free and fair election will be created if the government sits with the political parties.

“It is the Awami League that first told the government that there is no alternative to holding dialogue with the political parties to find out a solution to the current crises. But any condition for holding the dialogue is unacceptable,” said Zillur.

Replying to a query on carrying out intra-party reforms, Zillur said, “It is a matter of the political parties. The Awami League will not carry out any reform at anyone’s dictation.”

He demanded holding of early election and said if the next election is held within March-April, it would be good for the nation.

It is a good signal that the government has been reiterating that the elections would be held within the time stipulated in the announced electoral roadmap, Zillur said, adding that the AL would take part in the polls with its allies.

Asked for comments on Gono Forum President Dr Kamal Hossain’s statement asking the AL to seek apology publicly for breaking the coalition’s commitment, Zillur said, “It is an unfair and unjust statement. The words do not fit the stature of an educated person like him.”

The Italy chapter and the New Jersey unit of the US chapter of AL yesterday handed over donations to Zillur for the victims of cyclone Sidr.

Chairman of the AL’s committee for relief operation and party Presidium member Abdur Razzak and member secretary Prof Nazma Rahman, AL leaders Motia Chowdhury, Abul Mal Abdul Mutih, Sultan Mohammad Mansur Ahmed, Maj Gen (retd) Shubid Ali Bhuiyan, Dr Hasan Mahmud, Dr Dipu Moni, Advocate Shahara Khatun, Dr Abdur Razzak, among others, were present at the event.