Welcoming Jukta Front leaders to a dialogue at her official residence Ganabhaban, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said her goal was to have democracy continue in Bangladesh.
“We want to hold a free, fair and neutral election, so that the people can choose their leadership,” she said in her opening speech on Friday evening.
A day after her discussions with Dr Kamal Hossain-led Jatiya Oikya Front, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina sat in talks with Dr AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury-led Jukta Front last evening over the next general election.
Sheikh Hasina led a ruling alliance delegation at the dialogue while Badruddoza, the president of Bikalpa Dhara Bangladesh and chairman of Jukta Front, headed a 21-member team. The Jukta Front delegation brought forth a seven-point demand.
“Without upholding democratic continuity, we cannot have development. Let democracy be sustained and keep development going,” she said.
“We have faced many hurdles to uphold democracy and we are working towards the welfare of the people. We want this progress to continue.”
Hasina welcomed the Jukta Front delegation, saying Ganabhaban belongs to the people.
“I thank you for coming here.”
The dialogue began at 7:45pm.
The other Jukta Front delegation members are BDB secretary general Maj (retd) Abdul Mannan, its presidium members Shamsher Mobin Chowdhury, Golam Sarwar Milon, Abdur Rouf Mannan, Mohammad Yousuf, vice president Mahmuda Chowdhury, former MP HM Golam Reza, BLDP president Nazimuddin Al Azad, its general secretary Delwar Hossain, Bangladesh NAP chairman Jebel Rahman Gani, its secretary general M Golam Mostafa Bhuiyan, National Democratic Party (NDP) chairman Khandaker Golam Mortuza, and Janata Party President Sheikh Asaduzzaman.
After the talks, the Jukta Front leaders will hold a press conference at B Chowdhury’s Baridhara residence around 11pm, BDB president’s press secretary Jahangir Alam told UNB.
On Thursday night, the Awami League-led 14-praty alliance and Jatiya Oikyafront had marathon discussions at Ganobhaban over the next general election.
Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina led a 23-member 14-party delegation while Gono Forum President Dr Kamal Hossain a 20-member Jatiya Oikyafront team in the discussion.
On Tuesday, Prime Minister and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina invited B Chowdhury to join the talks at Ganobhaban as he sent a letter to her seeking talks over the next polls.