Dialogue if situation demands: Quader
STAFF REPORTER
Ruling Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader yesterday said talks can be held with its arch rival, the BNP, if the situation demands in future. But I cannot see any possibility of holding talks with the BNP ahead of the next general elections, he said while answering to a query on holding a dialogue with the BNP. As a democratic party, we cannot shut the door to holding talks with other political parties for forever. If any political crisis is created in the country in future, a dialogue can be held, he clarified.
About BNPs movement, Quader said the party would not be able to launch any tough movement against the government, as people were not with it. Besides, the BNP had no organizational capability to take to the streets to realize its demand, he maintained.
He also claimed that the BNP is giving a wrong interpretation of the constitution over the election-time government.
Criticizing BNP leaders including its secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, AL general secretary said, BNP leaders are giving a wrong interpretation of constitution over the election-time government but they can do so, as it is their democratic right. We dont want to talk on the issue anymore.
Quader, also the road transport and bridges minister, was addressing a press conference at the AL president Sheikh Hasinas Dhanmondi political office, to give the partys
reaction to the BNPs press conference. Dubbing Prime Minister Sheikh Hasinas address to the nation positive, the AL general secretary said the premiers address to the nation frustrated the BNP but the people of the country were happy with the speech.
Earlier, at a news conference, BNP secretary general yesterday had trashed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasinas plan on an election-time government, saying it would deepen the prevailing political crisis.
There is no clear provision in the constitution about the election-time government. The election will not be free and fair if its held under a partisan government without dissolving parliament as per the constitution, he said. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in her address to the nation on Friday had said that the next parliamentary election would be held under an election-time government as per the Constitution.
