Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Friday categorically said the main opposition BNP had closed the door for discussion by withdrawing from parliament its adjournment motion regarding the caretaker government.
“By withdrawing the adjournment motion, the BNP betrayed the nation,” she said, urging the main opposition to raise their proposals on the structure of a poll-time administration after participating in the budget session and to take part in the next elections, leaving the politics of confrontation.
The Awami League president made the call while addressing a discussion meeting at the Bangabandhu International Convention Centre. The Awami League organised the discussion, marking the historic Six-point Day, chaired by the party’s Presidium member Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury.
Hasina said: “Earlier, when we gave them a proposal for dialogue, the BNP leader [Khaleda Zia] issued a 48-hour ultimatum saying I will not find any way to escape. Who will not find ways to escape now?”
Blaming the BNP for closing the door for a dialogue, the premier said: “Now there is no scope for talks as the BNP itself blocked the opportunity. They had repeatedly denied the government’s proposal for talks.
“What does the BNP really want?”
The PM once again said the next general elections would be held under an interim government similar to those in other countries having parliamentary democracy.
“Elections will be held under democratic and constitutional means,” she said.
Regarding the BNP’s withdrawal of the adjournment motion, the premier said: “An opposition lawmaker placed an adjournment motion in parliament to run a discussion on the caretaker government provision although the Rule of Procedures does not allow speaking on the motion.
“The Business Advisory Committee agreed to hold the discussion on the motion and the speaker added the motion in the day’s business,” she said, adding that later the opposition withdrew the motion.
Sheikh Hasina also criticised the media, saying a few TV channels had been misusing their independence by airing false stories favouring the war criminals.
Addressing the discussion, AL General Secretary and LGRD Minister Syed Ashraful Islam also said the next elections would be held following the footsteps of other democratic countries.