Leaders of the ruling 14-party alliance have rebuffed a citizen platform’s calls for an Awami League-BNP dialogue, saying such a demand was unrealistic, unacceptable and unconstitutional.
Claiming that the country was not in a situation where the government should hold a dialogue with the BNP, the leaders said there can be no compromise with “terrorists.”
On Monday, Nagorik Samaj, a platform of eminent citizens, sent separate letters to the president, prime minister and the BNP chairperson, urging them to hold talks to end the ongoing political unrest that has already claimed over 70 lives.
Speaking at a press briefing at the secretariat, Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed yesterday termed the Nagorik Samaj proposal “unrealistic and unacceptable.”
There was no scope of dialogue with the people who killed innocent people, created anarchy through terrorist activities and destroyed public properties, said Tofail, adding that the government cannot support terrorism by holding a dialogue with the BNP.
Talks with this type of parties would be a “compromise” and would inspire terrorism and violence in the future, the minister added.
Drawing comparison with the global stage, Tofail said if the world saw dialogues being held with terrorist groups, then the US would have held talks with the Islamic State. The commerce minister further claimed that the call for dialogues by Nagorik Samaj was nothing but an attempt to divert the focus from recent terrorist activities.
Replying to a question, Tofail said the ongoing violence would be resolved soon, as the law enforcement agencies would take action within the existing rules and regulations of the state.
’Khaleda conspiring again’
Meanwhile, at a separate programme, Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu blamed BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia for conspiring to change the constitution.
“BNP chief Khaleda Zia had directed criminals to attack the people and create anarchy in the country with an aim to come to power.
Recently Khaleda and her close associates have started a new conspiracy to change the constitution in the name of a movement.
“But none of Khaleda Zia’s conspiracy would succeed, because the government will take every decision as per the existing constitution and there is no alternative outside the constitution,” Amu told a discussion in the capital yesterday.
‘No compromise with criminals’
On the other hand, at a book launching ceremony at the Ekushey Boi Mela, Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu said there could be no compromise with criminals.
“The political villains are creating violence and burning innocent people. There can be no compromise with the criminals. At first, the government will tackle the violence and save people, then think about sitting for a political dialogue.”
Inu, also president of Bangladesh Samajtantrik Dal (Jasad), said there can be no compromise between the Freedom Fighters and the rajakars.
“Dialogue will only be possible, if BNP-Jamaat would take the responsibility for killing the people and surrender after stopping the violence,” the information minister said.
‘1/11 masterminds behind proposal’
Elsewhere at a human chain in Motijheel, Civil Aviation Minister Rashed Khan Menon said the masterminds of one-eleven had proposed the dialogue between a democratic government and criminals.
“These masterminds of one-eleven will not be found a few days later. They [citizens platform members] come only during country’s crisis to catch fish in troubled water,” said Menon, also president of Workers Party of Bangladesh.
He also urged the law enforcement agencies to arrest Khaleda for issuing directives to burn people in the name of blockade and hartals.
