AL to sit in dialogue with Oikyafront over polls, says Quader
NTV Online
Dhaka: A day after its letters to Awami League President Sheikh Hasina and General Secretary Obaidul Quader, the ruling party on Monday agreed to sit in dialogue with Jatiya Oikyafront leaders over the next general election very soon.
‘Awami League has agreed to hold talks with Oikyafront leaders and our President Sheikh Hasina will lead the dialogue,’ said Obaidul Quader, reports the UNB.
Speaking at a press conference at AL president’s Dhanmondi office, he said the Oikyafront leaders will soon be informed about the date and venue of the dialogue.
Quader also said Sheikh Hasina herself took the decision on 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.