Hours before the prime minister invited the opposition leader for talks over polls-time government on Saturday, Awami League-led 14-party alliance said the opposition would have to withdraw the hartal before talks could take place.
“The leader of the opposition [Khaleda Zia] has spoiled the atmosphere for talks by giving ultimatum and announcing hartal,” said Awami League Advisory Council member Tofail Ahmed.
Tofail was talking to reporters after a meeting of the ruling alliance at the Awami League president’s Dhanmondi office in the afternoon. He said no dialogue was possible in the face of ultimatums.
Accusing the opposition leader of killing the possibilities of any talk, Tofail said: “Withdraw hartal, we will sit for talks.”
In a much-hyped rally in the capital on Friday, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia announced a 60-hour countrywide shutdown starting on Sunday if the government failed to initiate a dialogue by on Saturday.
Terming Khaleda Zia’s proposal for a polls-time government “unconstitutional,” the AL stalwart categorically said Sheikh Hasina would be the leader of the ad hoc administration.
After the meeting, AL presidium member and 14-party alliance spokesperson Mohammad Nasim told reporters that the BNP chairperson’s call for a hartal foiled the possibilities of a dialogue.
