The stubborn attitude of the government is diminishing hopes that the political crisis can be resolved through talks with major opposition alliances, the senior joint secretary general of BNP said on Friday.
Ruhul Kabir Rizvi criticized the Awami League’s commitment to a meaningful dialogue during a press conference held at the BNP’s Naya Paltan central office, reports UNB.
“The wayward attitude demonstrated by the ruling alliance during the dialogue with Jatiya Oikya Front is an ominous sign for democracy and a fair election,” he said.
"The dialogue initiative generated hope among the people, but it began to fade away after the talks.”
The BNP leader said all progress in the efforts to hold a fair election had been adversely affected by the Awami League's failure to address the seven-point demand of Oikya Front, of which BNP is a part.
Leaders of the new platform, led by Dr Kamal Hossain, held a lengthy discussion with the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina-led 14-party alliance leaders at her official Ganabhaban residence on Thursday night.
“If the government is sincere on holding a fair and neutral election and wants to get rid of the politics of division, it will hold further talks further with Oikya Front leaders to reach a consensus over their demands,” Rizvi said.
“Our party leaders and activists will take to the streets if the government continues to show its rigid stance on this issue.”
Rizvi also said the party will not make any compromise over their call for the immediate and conditional release from jail of their chairperson, Khaleda Zia, who has been sentenced to a total of 17 years behind bars in two separate graft cases.
He further alleged that BNP leaders and activists are being arrested, even after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina talked about taking steps to stop the harassment and arrest of opposition figures during the recent talks.
"Just after the conclusion of the talks, our Tangail district Chhatra Dal Vice President Mohammad Ethen was arrested," the BNP leader said.
Briefing reporters about the outcome of Thursday’s talks, Dr Kamal said they placed their seven-point demand before the prime minister but did not find any specific solution except some assurances regarding rallies and meetings.
In his assessment, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said his party was “not happy” with the outcome of the talks with the 14-Party Alliance.
"There were discussions on various issues,” he said. “The prime minister said they will talk again (but) on behalf of my party, I can say we are not happy with the discussions.”
