“Jatiya Oikyafront wants to sit with Bangladesh Awami League. I, on behalf of our leader and party supreme leader Desh Ratna Sheikh Hasina, would like to say her door doesn’t remain shut for anyone…Our leader and Bangabandhu’s daughter has agreed on Oikyafront’s proposal,” said Obaidul Quader.
Speaking at a press conference at AL president’s Dhanmondi office, he further said, “We all agreed with our leader (Hasina) that we’ll sit in talks with Oikyafront leaders and our [party] President Sheikh Hasina will lead the dialogue.”
Quader said the Oikyafront leaders will soon be informed about the date and venue of the dialogue.
He said after the cabinet meeting today, Sheikh Hasina held an unscheduled meeting with party leaders and sought their opinions about the talks. “The meeting unanimously decided to hold dialogue with the Oikyafront responding to its proposal.”
Referring to Oikyafront’s letters to Sheikh Hasina and him expecting a meaningful dialogue for holding a free, fair, neutral and inclusive election, Quader said they received the letters sent with the alliance’s seven-point demand and 11 goals.
He said their party does not bow down to any body’s pressure and does not call any one for talks. “As Oikyafront wants to hold dialogue, our leader doesn’t want to shut her door.”
Replying to a question, the AL general secretary said the dialogue will be held before the announcement of the election schedule.
Asked whether Oikyafront’s demands will be met, he said it is not possible to say now. “Wait for the results of the talks.”
Earlier on Sunday, Jatiya Oikyafront, led by Dr Kamal Hossain, sent a letter to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina seeking dialogue over the national election.
Oikyafront also sent another letter to Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader urging the ruling party to engage in dialogue over the election.
Dr Kamal Hossain signed the letter sent to the Prime Minister while Gono Forum general secretary Mostafa Mohsin Montu signed the one sent to Obaidul Quader.
In the letter, Kamal Hossain mentioned Oikyafront’s seven-point demand and 11 goals to overcome the current political situation.
“Oikyafront feels the urgency for holding a meaningful dialogue with Awami League to hold an inclusive and competitive election in a peaceful and congenial atmosphere. We expect your initiative in this regard,” he wrote to the PM in the letter.
Kamal Hossain also wished the Prime Minister good health and long life.
On October 13, BNP together with Dr Kamal Hossain-led Jatiya Oikya Prokriya, JSD and Nagorik Oikya launched the Jatiy Oikyafront to press for their seven-point demand.
The Oikyafront’s seven-point demand includes installation of a neutral interim government, dissolution of parliament, reconstitution the Election Commission, release of all the political prisoners, deployment of army and cancellation of the move to use Electronic Voting Machines (EVMS) for holding the next polls in fair and acceptable manner.