The ongoing political impasse can be resolved in a day if the government agrees to sit in a dialogue with the opposition alliance, said BNP vice-chairman Sadeque Hossain Khoka on Sunday, according to sources available.
Speaking at a view exchange meeting with media representatives at Jackson Heights at New York in the USA, he said the dialogue could be held on the basis of seven point proposals of Khaleda Zia that she placed on December 31.
The proposal includes holding of a dialogue for an inclusive election under a non-partisan government, creating a level playing field for all political parties, reconstitution of the Election Commission and dissolution of parliament and cabinet before the election schedule is announced.Khoka, who has been out of active politics and undergoing treatment for cancer in the US since June last year, said talks can start at expert level before holding discussion at the top level.
He also said members of civil society can be included in that discussion apart from the representatives from opposition alliance.
“The talks can take place in an open place which can be telecast in national television,” he added.
The former mayor of Dhaka City said, his party is ready to sit in any types of dialogue.
“We are not saying that Sheikh Hasina will have to quit power tomorrow and we will grab power immediately. We want fair democratic system restored in the country. We will accept if Sheikh Hasina or any other force comes in power through that process,” he said.
Replying to a question about opposition’s movement amid SSC examinations, Khoka regretted for the inconvenience of the examinees. He however claimed family members of many SSC candidates are sympathizers of the opposition alliance.
He said the government is using SSC exams as an instrument to put opposition in a difficult situation so that they are bound to give-up the ongoing movement.
Khoka is being treated at Manhattan’s Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre.
His health condition is improving because of oral chemotherapy, but he has no plan to return to the country right now due to fear of police harassment, sources said. Staff Reporter
