BNP may skip talks with EC today

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BNP last night decided it would not join the Election Commission’s (EC) dialogue today on registration of the political parties, said party leaders.

It however did not make a formal announcement to that effect.

Talking to The Daily Star at around 10:00pm, former BNP lawmaker Syed Moazzem Hossain Alal said they were sending a letter to the EC to explain their decision.

He said they would tell the EC that the party would participate in talks only after release of Chairperson Khaleda Zia.

Quoting BNP standing committee member Chowdhury Tanvir Ahmed Siddique, UNB reports that a five-member committee has been formed to make a decision on the dialogue issue.

The committee might sit today to review situation. BNP Secretary General Khandaker Delwar Hossain will announce the decision.

The EC has lately invited the BNP faction loyal to former prime minister Khaleda Zia for discussions on registration.

The invitation marks an about-face in the EC’s stance on factional feuds in BNP. In its previous talks on electoral reforms, the commission invited the pro-reform BNP faction.

The dialogue that began yesterday has been arranged to resolve the differences with political parties about registration, which is now mandatory for participation in the general election.

Contacted, a high official of the commission said, “We are hopeful that BNP will attend the dialogue.”

He added that they will be prepared for the meeting scheduled to begin at 2:00pm.

Earlier on Friday, Delwar told reporters that they would decide on the talks today.

Talking to The Daily Star the same day, BNP Joint Secretary General Nazrul Islam Khan said, “What’s the good of joining the dialogue? We are asked to talk only on party registration, whereas we have many other issues to discuss.”

BNP Vice-president MK Anwar said he does not know whether his party will attend the dialogue or not.

BNP leaders have all along been saying they will not participate in any dialogue if the government does not release their chief and send her son Tarique Rahman abroad for treatment.

Tarique was released on bail on September 3.

Insiders say the party will not budge on its stance on talks if Khaleda is not freed on bail.

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