Leaders of the ruling Awami League and opposition BNP crossed swords at BBC Sanglap at the port city over the proposed dialogue.
Taking part in the Sanglap, Environment and Forests Minister Hasan Mahmud said the government still wants dialogue with the opposition while BNP vice-chairman M Morshed Khan accused the government of backtracking on its stance.
The programme on contemporary issues was recorded at the auditorium of the Institute of Engineers here in the afternoon. BBC journalist Akbar Hossain moderated the programme.
Claiming that his party has not taken any decision to invite BNP for dialogue, Dr Hasan Mahmud said the opposition can discuss the issue in parliament as they are going to join the upcoming budget session.
As a number of participants from the audience asked the minister that newspapers ran reports over his party’s invitation to BNP for talks, Hasan Mahmud said, “There was no discussion in our party forum to send any letter. The newspapers that carried the reports can say better about it.”
Meanwhile, Morshed Khan said, “On one hand the government is talking about holding dialogue and is repressing the opposition leaders and activists on the other. It’s the government that opened the path of violence by scrapping the provision of caretaker government from the constitution.”
He went on to say: “We came to know the government would send a letter to us in this regard. The government closed the door when the people of the country are keen to see it as they want a neutral election under a caretaker government.
“Go for a referendum in this regard, if necessary. People will give their mandate in favour of the caretaker government.”
Taking part in the discussion, Professor ANM Munir Ahmed Chowdhury of Chittagong University said the two parties can reach an acceptable solution through dialogue.
“It’ll help restore peace in the country. But Awami League backtracked from the position after driving out Hefazat from Dhaka.”
