Prime Minister’s political adviser HT Imam on Wednesday said the government will sit in dialogue with BNP if the party shuns the path of violence and parts the company of Jamaat-e Islami.
He came up with the remark while talking to reporters at the Election Commission Secretariat on Wednesday evening.
Asked about Khaleda Zia’s call for arrangement of immediate dialogue, HT Imam said, “BNP will have to come up with a specific proposal, shun violence and leave the association of Jamaat-Shibir, and gain the confidence of people. Then the decision for sitting in negotiations could be taken.”
An Awami League delegation, led by HT Imam, also co-chairman of the AL Election Conducting Committee, went to the EC Secretariat on the eve of Thursday’s re-voting in seven constituencies.
PM’s economic adviser Dr Moshiur Rahman and member of the AL election conducting committee ABM Reazul Kabir Kawsar were among the delegation members.
Awami League leader Dr Hasan Mahmud on Wednesday urged BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia to sever ties with Jamaat-e-Islami if she wants dialogue.
“There could be a meaningful dialogue if she (Khaleda Zia) declares to cut ties with war criminals and shun destructive programmes,” he said.
Dr Hasan Mahmud, publication and publicity secretary of the ruling party, said this while addressing a press conference at AL president’s Dhanmondi political office in reaction to Khaleda Zia’s speech she made at a news conference earlier in the day.
In her press conference, Khaleda Zia urged the government to take immediate steps for holding fresh dialogue to resolve the current political impasse and install a democratic government.
“This is an illegal government and an illegal government doesn’t have any responsibility to people … it’s very dangerous to allow such a government to prolong,” she said.
In another press conference at TCB Bhaban, Awami League joint general secretary Mahbub-ul-Alam Hanif said Khaleda Zia’s speech was nothing but full of lies to misguide people.
“Khaleda’s speech was full of lies. The January 5 elections were held to save the country’s constitution and democracy. We had wanted BNP to join the polls. But they boycotted the polls and carried out destructive activities,” he said.
-UNB
