Dialogue with other parties too: Quader

Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader yesterday said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina wants to sit in dialogue with other parties as well. Quader, also the Awami League General Secretary, said this while talking to reporters after a meeting with French Ambassador in Dhaka Marie Annick Bourdin and German Ambassador Peter Fahrenholtz at the secretariat.

"All irrespective of party and opinion have supported the Prime Minister's dialogue initiative. Ambassadors also supported and encouraged the initiative," he said.

"During dialogue with Jatiya Oikyafront, there'll be 20 representatives from Awami League. The discussion will make many things clear. There are no specific issues to be discussed as the prime minister has not laid down any condition," he said.

After the prime minister’s positive response to a letter by Dr Kamal Hossain seeking talks, Bikalpadhara chief AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury and Jatiya party chief HM Ershad also wrote to the premier and so far, they also received positive response from Sheikh Hasina.

Responding to a query over Khaleda Zia's sentence, he said it is a matter of court and Khaleda's verdict has no relation with this dialogue. "Now, BNP will have to fight a legal battle."

“Neither the prime minister nor the Awami League gave the verdict. This is a court order. What is the link between the dialogue and the legal affairs?” questioned Quader.

The ambassadors wanted to know about the elections and election environment, he said adding, “I told them the election will be held under the Election Commission and the government will only carry out the routine work.”

Dialogue with other parties too: Quader

Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader yesterday said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina wants to sit in dialogue with other parties as well. Quader, also the Awami League General Secretary, said this while talking to reporters after a meeting with French Ambassador in Dhaka Marie Annick Bourdin and German Ambassador Peter Fahrenholtz at the secretariat. All irrespective of party and opinion have supported the Prime Ministers dialogue initiative. Ambassadors also supported and encouraged the initiative, he said. During dialogue with Jatiya Oikyafront, therell be 20 representatives from Awami League. The discussion will make many things clear. There are no specific issues to be discussed as the prime minister has not laid down any condition, he said. After the prime ministers positive response to a letter by Dr Kamal Hossain seeking talks, Bikalpadhara chief AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury and Jatiya party chief HM Ershad also wrote to the premier and so far, they also received positive response from Sheikh Hasina. Responding to a query over Khaleda Zias sentence, he said it is a matter of court and Khaledas verdict has no relation with this dialogue. Now, BNP will have to fight a legal battle. Neither the prime minister nor the Awami League gave the verdict. This is a court order. What is the link between the dialogue and the legal affairs? questioned Quader. The ambassadors wanted to know about the elections and election environment, he said adding, I told them the election will be held under the Election Commission and the government will only carry out the routine work.