BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia yesterday told UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon that her party was ready for a dialogue but it would not go for any election under the incumbent government.
“The leader of the opposition told the UN secretary-general that there was no alternative to a dialogue or discussion to resolve the [existing political] crisis and the BNP was ready to go for a dialogue or discussion. But the party would not take part in any election under the Awami League government,” party’s acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir told reporters at a briefing at Khaleda’s Gulshan office.
Ban Ki-moon called Khaleda over telephone around 6:40pm and talked for around half an hour regarding the election process and current political crisis, said Fakhrul.
“The UN secretary-general told the opposition leader that he wanted to see a free and fair election with participation of all political parties. That is why the United Nation was closely observing Bangladesh’s political situation,” Fakhrul quoted Ban as saying.
In reply, Khaleda told Ban: “There is no alternative to a non-partisan government for holding a free, fair and credible election. A strong Election Commission is also necessary for this.”
Fakhrul said the UN chief had expressed his concern over the country’s political situation.
“I took an initiative to hold a participatory, fair and free election but that initiative did not proceed so far,” Ban told Khaleda.
In May, Moon sent Oscar Fernandez-Taranco, assistant secretary general for political affairs of the UN, apparently to create ground for political dialogue between the two archrival parties for smooth transfer of power through a credible and participatory election.
Taranco met the prime minister, leader of the opposition, speaker of the house, the chief election commissioner, leaders of political parties and select members of civil society.
After the meetings he expressed his concern as “time is running out” to find a solution so Bangladesh can hold free, fair, credible and non-violent elections.
The UN envoy said Bangladesh is very important for the global organisation, especially because of its strong commitment to international peace and security, Fernandez-Taranco praised Bangladesh saying, “Its very brave police and army officers are participating in the peacekeeping operations.”