Responding to US Secretary of State John Kerry’s letter, opposition leader Khaleda Zia has said she thinks the ongoing political crisis in Bangladesh can be resolved through a constructive dialogue. The opposition leader sent a letter to Kerry on Wednesday in response to his letter in which he expressed concern and uncertainty over the ongoing political standoff in Bangladesh, BNP vice chairman Shamsher Mobin Chowdhury told UNB on Thursday. He said, “The opposition leader in her letter said the people of Bangladesh are similarly concerned over the next election as the world leaders voiced their worry over it.” “She (Khaleda) thinks a meaningful and constructive dialogue is the only way to find out an acceptable solution to the ongoing political crisis,” Mobin added. Khaleda, however, mentioned in her letter that the dialogue depends on the government’s good will. Expressing concern over the ongoing political standoff in Bangladesh, US Secretary of State John Kerry has urged Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Opposition Leader Khaleda Zia to engage in a constructive dialogue without further delay. Earlier on September 8, John Kerry in two identical letters to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Opposition Leader Khaleda Zia urged them to engage in a constructive dialogue without further delay. “Secretary Kerry has written to the Prime Minister and to Begum Zia. He has encouraged them to engage in constructive dialogue to find a way forward towards free, fair and credible elections,” Kelly S McCarthy, spokesperson for the US Embassy in Bangladesh told UNB responding to an email. Kerry in his letters voiced concern over the ongoing political crisis in the country and said reaching a compromise is very urgent to hold an acceptable election with the participation of all through a constructive dialogue without buying further time, Shamsher Mobin had told UNB on September 9. Earlier on August 23, amid the deepening political crisis in the country over the nature of polls-time administration, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon phoned Sheikh Hasina and her arch rival Khaleda Zia and urged them to sit in talks for reaching a consensus for holding free and fair polls. The UN Secretary General told both the leaders that the global community wants to see a free and fair election in Bangladesh with the participation of all parties. BNP has been on a movement since the government scrapped the non-party caretaker government system through the 15th amendment to the constitution demanding its restoration. As per the current constitution, the next general election must be held within October 28 to January 24 under the incumbent regime and the ruling party is firm on its stance to hold the election as per the charter. – UNB
