The government is reportedly considering to hold a president-mediated dialogue with the BNP-led alliance to discuss how an election might take place in 2019; however, it would continue to stand firm against any suggestion of going for a midterm election, a senior leader of the party has told the Dhaka Tribune.
Seeking anonymity, the top-tier leader who is also a former state minister said the move that was being planned was part of the government’s technique to “stop” the ongoing indefinite blockade of the alliance.
Saying President Abdul Hamid might ask all political parties including the members of the 20-party alliance to join the talks, the leader said “However, this discussion will only be about election procedures that might be applied in the next national polls in 2019.”
Asked about what was the government’s plans on BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, the leader said: “The government might send her [Khaleda] home, and also lock her Gulshan office considering the security measures inside the diplomatic zone.”
The Awami League central leader also said more restrictions might be imposed on the BNP chairperson that might prevent other BNP leaders from meeting their party chief.
Another top-level source inside the ruling party told the Dhaka Tribune that the government was also planning on remove all political offices from the Gulshan, Banani and Baridhara areas to ensure the safety of diplomats.
The hints by party insiders came after on Sunday, Awami League Publicity and Publication Affairs Secretary Hasan Mahmud told a programme: “Staying in the diplomatic zone, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia is leading secret attacks with petrol bombs on innocent people. Many ambassadors, diplomats and foreigners live in that area. So, I urge the government to remove Khaleda Zia’s political office from Gulshan.”
The Dhaka Tribune tried to contact State Minister for Home Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal to get his comments on relocating political offices from Gulshan, but he was unavailable over the phone.
Khaleda Zia had been virtually confined inside her Gulshan office since January 3.
AL reservations against talks
Meanwhile, asked about any possible upcoming dialogue with the BNP, Awami League Joint General Secretary Jahangir Kabir Nanak yesterday told the Dhaka Tribune: “No dialogue will be held with the BNP until they stopped terrorism in the name on democratic movement.
“Firstly, the BNP should break ties with the Jamaat-e-Islami, who opposes the Liberation War, and other Afghan-returnee trained Taliban terrorists and militants,” Nanak added.
His views were also echoed by Awami League leader Hasan Mahmud who told a press conference yesterday that there cannot be any dialogue with the BNP-Jamaat who were killing innocent people including women and children.
“Several civil society members as well as diplomats have asked to hold talks. But it is not possible at the moment. Firstly, the BNP-Jamaat should stop terrorism and arsons attacks on the people. Then we will think what we can do,” he told a press conference at party President Sheikh Hasina’s Dhanmondi political office.
The former environment minister also alleged that Khaleda Zia was spreading falsehood and misguiding people, adding: “She and her party BNP will have to pay for it more than their present critical situation.”
Anti-violence programmes
The Awami League-led 14-party alliance is also set to stage programmes to resist the BNP-Jamaat’s violence on the streets.
As part of their programme, the alliance will hold a rally at Gabtoli bus terminal today, where the party’s central leaders are scheduled to address.
Sources inside the 14-party said they would also hold several rallies at major bus terminals and entry points of Dhaka city throughout January. They added that steps would be take soon to form “Anti-Subversive Acts Committees,” in every locality at every district with the help of associate bodies of the 14-party alliance and law enforcers.
The decision was made at a meeting among central leaders of the 14-party alliance, held at Hasina’s Dhanmondi office on January 15.
Since January 5, blockade-related violence has claimed the lives of at least 24 people and injured scores others throughout the country.
