Parties talk today with all guns blazing

Ruling AL hopeful about outcome of talks, BNP sceptical

All eyes are now on today's much-talked-about dialogue between the Awami League (AL)-led Grand Alliance and the newly floated Jatiya Oikyafront. It is going to be held at Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's official residence, Ganabhaban, at 7pm.

Sheikh Hasina, who is also the AL president, herself will lead the dialogue on behalf of the AL-led alliance, while Gana Forum president Dr Kamal Hossain will head the Jatiya Oikyafront delegation. Speculations are rife in the political arena as to whether the dialogue would be able to resolve the prevailing political impasse centring the next general election.

Jatiya Oikyafront has already sent a list of 16-member delegation to the ruling party.

The AL issued a press release eventually finalising a 23-member delegation of its alliance for the meeting. Earlier, the party said it would send a 22-member team. The dialogue is going to be held only a couple of months ahead of the next national polls.  

The Jatiya Oikyafront was forged on October 13 comprising the BNP, Gana Forum, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal, Nagarik Oikya and Jatiya Oikya Prakriya. The BNP joined the Oikyafront without breaking its 20-party Alliance.

In her letter to Oikyafront, Hasina mentioned that the door for dialogue remains open on all issues within the limit and scope of the constitution.

Oikyafront leaders, however, expressed their doubts over the probable outcome of the dialogue. They said they would focus on their seven-point charter of demands and 11-point visions at the dialogue.

Speaking at a function at Jatiya Press Club yesterday, Dr Kamal Hossain said they would take part in the dialogue with an open mind.

He also said that it was to be hoped that the victory of the people would be achieved.

BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, however, said the dialogue would not be successful keeping [party chairperson Khaleda Zia in prison. He was speaking at a human chain programme in front of Jatiya Press Club.

BNP standing committee member Barrister Moudud Ahmed said the dialogue, movement and election would to go together.

The 14-party alliance leaders to take part in the dialogue are AL president Sheikh Hasina, AL general secretary Obaidul Quader, advisers Amir Hossain Amu and Tofail Ahmed, presidium members Matia Chowdhury, Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim, Mohammed Nasim, Md Abdur Razzak, Kazi Zafar Ullah, Ramesh Chandra Roy and Adv.

Abdul Matin Khasru, joint general secretaries Mahbub-ul Alam Hanif, Dipu Moni, Abdur Rahman and Jahangir Kabir Nanak, office secretary Abdus Sobhan Golap, publicity and publication secretary Hasan Mahmud, law affairs secretary SM Rezaul Karim, law minister Anisul Huq, Samyabadi Dal general secretary Dilip Barua, Workers Party president Rashed Khan Menon, Jasad president Hasanul Haque Inu, and Jasad (another faction) president Moinuddin Khan Badal.

The Oikyafront leaders to participate in the dialogue are: Gana Forum president Dr Kamal Hossain; BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, BNP standing committee members Dr Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain,  Moudud Ahmed, Mirza Abbas, and Jamiruddin Sircar; Mahmudur Rahman Manna and SM Akram of Nagarik Oikya; Mostafa Mohsin Montu and Subrata Chowdhury of Gana Forum; ASM Abdur Rab, Abdul Malek Ratan and Tania Rab of JSD; Suntan Muhammed Mansur and ABM Mostafa Amin of Jatiya Oikya Prakriya; and Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury, an independent candidate. JSD general secretary Abdul Malek Ratan said that the members of the Oikyafront delegation will meet at Dr Kamal’s Bailey Road residence in this evening. Later, they will start for Ganabhaban for the dialogue with the prime minister.

AL joint general secretary Abdur Rahman said they remain positive about the outcome of today’s talks. He expressed optimism that the opposition leaders would not place any demand that goes beyond the Constitution. “We can’t go beyond the Constitution,” he added.

AL presidium member Md Abdur Razzak said the dialogue would help promote a free and fair polls, where the EC will be able to apply its constitutional power. “It's possible to hold a free, fair and acceptable election if the EC applies it power appropriately,” he added. He also said that there was no scope for formation of any election-time supportive government or a caretaker government as the sonstitution could not be amended.

Regarding Khaleda’s release, Razzak said she was not arrested on political grounds, but sentenced in corruption cases. "The Prime Minister can't release her. It's up to the Appellate Division," he added.

He further said the EC could not be reconstituted as the next general polls would have to be held within 3 months in keeping with constitutional provisions. He, however, added that they would accept any decision taken by Sheikh Hasina.

Earlier in the day, Jatiya Oikyafront at a meeting in Dr Kamal’s chamber in Motijheel yesterday discussed their preparation for the talks. Sources said the meeting decided to place at the dialogue Oikyafront’s seven-point charter of demands. The demands are resignation of the government for holding a free, fair and neutral election, dissolution of parliament and formation of a poll-time neutral government through holding talks with all political parties; release of all political leaders, including BNP chief Khaleda Zia, and withdrawal of all false cases against opposition activists; reconstitution of the EC and assurance of not using EVMs in the polls; ensuring freedom of expression for people and newspapers, television channels and social media. Freedom of holding rallies by political parties and ensuring a level playing field; withdrawal of all repressive cases filed against those were involved in movements for quota reforms and safe road; cancellation of all ‘black laws’ including the Digital Security Act; deployment of the Army with magistracy power from 10 days before the polls until the formation of the next government; and allowing local and international observers to monitor the polls.

The Oikyafront will also place its 11-point visions at the talks.

 

Parties talk today with all guns blazing

Ruling AL hopeful about outcome of talks, BNP sceptical

All eyes are now on todays much-talked-about dialogue between the Awami League (AL)-led Grand Alliance and the newly floated Jatiya Oikyafront. It is going to be held at Prime Minister Sheikh Hasinas official residence, Ganabhaban, at 7pm. Sheikh Hasina, who is also the AL president, herself will lead the dialogue on behalf of the AL-led alliance, while Gana Forum president Dr Kamal Hossain will head the Jatiya Oikyafront delegation. Speculations are rife in the political arena as to whether the dialogue would be able to resolve the prevailing political impasse centring the next general election. Jatiya Oikyafront has already sent a list of 16-member delegation to the ruling party. The AL issued a press release eventually finalising a 23-member delegation of its alliance for the meeting. Earlier, the party said it would send a 22-member team. The dialogue is going to be held only a couple of months ahead of the next national polls. The Jatiya Oikyafront was forged on October 13 comprising the BNP, Gana Forum, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal, Nagarik Oikya and Jatiya Oikya Prakriya. The BNP joined the Oikyafront without breaking its 20-party Alliance. In her letter to Oikyafront, Hasina mentioned that the door for dialogue remains open on all issues within the limit and scope of the constitution. Oikyafront leaders, however, expressed their doubts over the probable outcome of the dialogue. They said they would focus on their seven-point charter of demands and 11-point visions at the dialogue. Speaking at a function at Jatiya Press Club yesterday, Dr Kamal Hossain said they would take part in the dialogue with an open mind. He also said that it was to be hoped that the victory of the people would be achieved. BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, however, said the dialogue would not be successful keeping [party chairperson Khaleda Zia in prison. He was speaking at a human chain programme in front of Jatiya Press Club. BNP standing committee member Barrister Moudud Ahmed said the dialogue, movement and election would to go together. The 14-party alliance leaders to take part in the dialogue are AL president Sheikh Hasina, AL general secretary Obaidul Quader, advisers Amir Hossain Amu and Tofail Ahmed, presidium members Matia Chowdhury, Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim, Mohammed Nasim, Md Abdur Razzak, Kazi Zafar Ullah, Ramesh Chandra Roy and Adv. Abdul Matin Khasru, joint general secretaries Mahbub-ul Alam Hanif, Dipu Moni, Abdur Rahman and Jahangir Kabir Nanak, office secretary Abdus Sobhan Golap, publicity and publication secretary Hasan Mahmud, law affairs secretary SM Rezaul Karim, law minister Anisul Huq, Samyabadi Dal general secretary Dilip Barua, Workers Party president Rashed Khan Menon, Jasad president Hasanul Haque Inu, and Jasad (another faction) president Moinuddin Khan Badal. The Oikyafront leaders to participate in the dialogue are: Gana Forum president Dr Kamal Hossain; BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, BNP standing committee members Dr Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Moudud Ahmed, Mirza Abbas, and Jamiruddin Sircar; Mahmudur Rahman Manna and SM Akram of Nagarik Oikya; Mostafa Mohsin Montu and Subrata Chowdhury of Gana Forum; ASM Abdur Rab, Abdul Malek Ratan and Tania Rab of JSD; Suntan Muhammed Mansur and ABM Mostafa Amin of Jatiya Oikya Prakriya; and Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury, an independent candidate. JSD general secretary Abdul Malek Ratan said that the members of the Oikyafront delegation will meet at Dr Kamals Bailey Road residence in this evening. Later, they will start for Ganabhaban for the dialogue with the prime minister. AL joint general secretary Abdur Rahman said they remain positive about the outcome of todays talks. He expressed optimism that the opposition leaders would not place any demand that goes beyond the Constitution. We cant go beyond the Constitution, he added. AL presidium member Md Abdur Razzak said the dialogue would help promote a free and fair polls, where the EC will be able to apply its constitutional power. Its possible to hold a free, fair and acceptable election if the EC applies it power appropriately, he added. He also said that there was no scope for formation of any election-time supportive government or a caretaker government as the sonstitution could not be amended. Regarding Khaledas release, Razzak said she was not arrested on political grounds, but sentenced in corruption cases. The Prime Minister cant release her. Its up to the Appellate Division, he added. He further said the EC could not be reconstituted as the next general polls would have to be held within 3 months in keeping with constitutional provisions. He, however, added that they would accept any decision taken by Sheikh Hasina. Earlier in the day, Jatiya Oikyafront at a meeting in Dr Kamals chamber in Motijheel yesterday discussed their preparation for the talks. Sources said the meeting decided to place at the dialogue Oikyafronts seven-point charter of demands. The demands are resignation of the government for holding a free, fair and neutral election, dissolution of parliament and formation of a poll-time neutral government through holding talks with all political parties; release of all political leaders, including BNP chief Khaleda Zia, and withdrawal of all false cases against opposition activists; reconstitution of the EC and assurance of not using EVMs in the polls; ensuring freedom of expression for people and newspapers, television channels and social media. Freedom of holding rallies by political parties and ensuring a level playing field; withdrawal of all repressive cases filed against those were involved in movements for quota reforms and safe road; cancellation of all black laws including the Digital Security Act; deployment of the Army with magistracy power from 10 days before the polls until the formation of the next government; and allowing local and international observers to monitor the polls. The Oikyafront will also place its 11-point visions at the talks.