Law Minister Anisul Haque on Sunday said that the BNP should take part in the president’s talks on the new Election Commission to reduce political bitterness.
He made the remark while speaking to reporters at the Secretariat.
The BNP on December 29 announced, before being formally invited, that they would not join the dialogue, which aims at formation of a search committee upon recommendations put forward by the political parties. The BNP maintains that they would not join the next general elections under the incumbent government.
“The country is above all… if you (BNP) join the dialogue for the sake of the country, it will be beneficial for you and for all. It’s up to them if they don’t do so,” Anisul said.
“If they think it's a toxic situation, then they should take some measures to come out of this situation. It’ll be a positive move if they join the dialogue,” the law minister added.
In response to a question, he said that there was no scope to formulate a new law within a short period.
Anisul said: “I did not say that we won’t do it. Rather I said that we’d formulate this law. It should be done… will be acceptable to everyone.”
He added that the appointment of the next EC would depend on the ongoing dialogue. “Let’s see what happens.”
At one point, the minister expressed annoyance when a reporter wanted to know the government’s stance on allowing overseas treatment of the BNP chief, convicted in corruption cases.
“That’s not the priority,” he said, adding: “The priority is that Sheikh Hasina has prepared the ground for providing the services the people should have received long ago.
“Finally, it is the time to deliver, and we will do it.”