‘Continuation of democratic trend behind dialogue process’

Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader on Tuesday said the Prime Minister has sent the letter to Dr Kamal Hossain inviting his Oikyafront leaders to join dialogue with an interest to continue the democratic trend in the country.

“The dialogue will be held with Awami League, not with the government,” said Obaidul, also the Road Transport and Bridges Minister.“Awami League will finalise the list of those who will join the dialogue after receiving the list from Jatiya Oikyafront,” said Qauder while talking to reporters at the Secretariat.

Earlier in the morning, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina invited Jatiya Oikyafront to join the dialogue with her party at 7 pm on Thursday at Ganobhaban. Responding to a question, Qauder said the dialogue is not being arranged under any pressure.“We welcome them as they want to discuss their seven-point demand and 11 goals with us,” said Quader. The Election Commission will take decisions on their demands while the court will decide some other issues, he added.

“There’s no chance for any non-registered party to participate in the dialogue. We’re not sitting with the BNP, but with Oikyafront and expect all the problems to be solved on the dialogue table,” the minister said.As they mentioned their seven-point demand and 11 goals in the letter, there is no chance of denying their demands, said Quader adding, “The discussion will be held on the table.”

“This newly formed cabinet will be the election-time government and the election will be arranged by the Election Commission, not the government,” he said.There is a possibility that the size of newly formed government will be the same as the present one, he said adding, “New faces may be added or not.”

source: UNB