Washington seems to be of the view that BNP should not boycott the next general elections for the sake of availing the option to get elected as well as for the smooth transition of power to the next elected government.
BNP should also weigh the possibility of participation in the upcoming election under the incumbent government if the situation demands.
This is the message the US ambassador gave to Khaleda Zia and the senior leaders of the party at different times on different recent occasions.
Senior leaders of the party, however, claimed that there was ‘no pressure’ to take part in the election under the incumbent government, rather advises to avoid confrontational politics.
BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, however, has rejected outright the possibility of taking part in the elec-tions under the incumbent government, and said election should be held under a non-partisan interim government in a level playing field.
US ambassador to Bangladesh Dan W Mozena on Monday met Khaleda Zia at her Gulshan office and asked about the possibility of participating in election under the incumbent government for the sake of peaceful transfer of power.
The leader of the opposition told the envoy that they will not wage any movement if the government introduces a non-partisan interim government to oversee the next polls, said senior leaders seeking anonymity.
Khaleda told the ambassador in the meeting that she wanted to reach a political understanding, de-spite all differences among the parties, through dialogue.
Senior leaders said they find United States concerned over the next elections and the country needs a peaceful transfer of power, whatever the situation. They also do not want to see the rise of a ‘third force’ and that is why BNP’s participation in the next elections is essential.
US Embassy spokesperson Viraj M LeBailly told the Dhaka Tribune in an e-mail yesterday: “We have repeatedly urged the leaders of the major parties in Bangladesh to come together and agree on a way forward that will ensure free, fair, and credible elections in the coming months”.
“What the way forward looks like is for the parties of Bangladesh to decide,” she added.
A BNP delegation went to London in July to attend a seminar where some members of the House of Lords advised BNP delegation to take part in the election under the incumbent government if both parties—AL and BNP—failed to reach a consensus.
BNP leaders observed that the United Kingdom, the United States and India want BNP’s participation in election whatever the transitional government scenario.
