Leaders of the Awami League and BNP committed to UN mediator Oscar Fernandez-Taranco to sitting again for a third round of talks even though none of the camps believe that the UN move would settle the political deadlock.
Taranco in his wrap-up press briefing told journalists: “A third meeting was agreed between the parties.”
The delegations of the two parties are likely to hold the meeting tomorrow afternoon to discuss the way out of the ongoing political impasse.
Though BNP is not much optimistic about the outcome of the current political impasse, they still believe if the ruling party responds positively, the solution will come at any time.
The BNP has been reiterating its desire for suspension of the polls schedule and holding of the elections in the three months after January 24.
However, a section of the leaders, who were not in the dialogue process, said the solution would come through street agitation rather than talks.
BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia has already asked the party senior leaders to remain present at the December 15 rally from where she might announce the next course of action like non-cooperation movement, said party insiders.
Neither the BNP nor the Awami League said anything about the meeting’s outcome and party insiders said they would not hold any press conference regarding the discussion outcome right now.
A senior leader seeking anonymity said any concrete discussion was yet to be held which could give hope. “The main challenge of the dialogue is to bring a positive outcome, which entirely depends upon the government, especially the prime minister.”
He said they demanded suspension of the polls schedule and resignation of the PM to hold an inclusive election but the Awami League was still rigid on its stance.
Regarding the BNP’s demand for suspension of the election schedule Awami League said it was constitutionally obligated to hold the polls before January 24.
“Already 33 lawmakers were elected unopposed and if Jatiya Party withdraws their candidatures then some 100 more will join them. Will that election be acceptable inside or outside the country?” the BNP leader said.
Another leader said the government had actually taken the strategy of buying time in the name of dialogue. “The last date for nomination withdrawal is December 13 but still there is no positive sign of resolving the crisis.”
Nazrul Islam Khan, party’s Standing Committee member, told journalists at a press briefing: “We have announced programmes before the talks began. Our movement will continue until the issues are settled.”
After holding the first round of meeting on Tuesday, the BNP leaders went to Khaleda Zia’s residence to inform her about the meeting’s outcome where she expressed her rigid stance over not participating in the polls under the incumbent prime minister.