The Opposition BNP wants a dialogue with the government to end the prevailing political crisis in the country on the poll-time interim administration issue. “We want a dialogue with the government to end the country’s prevailing political impasse. I, on Khaleda Zia’s instruction, am telling the government that we are keen for talks to settle the poll-time administration issue,” BNP spokesperson Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgirsaid on Saturday.
The BNP-led 18 Party Alliance has been staging a movement demanding election under the management of non-party caretaker government (CG). “Serious tension is brewing across the country on the issue. The government should therefore come forward immediately for a dialogue to put a lid on the situation,” Alamgir, who is also the acting secretary-general of the party, demanded, while addressing a convention to mark the 37th death anniversary of Moulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhasani, at the National Press Club. The BNP has urged the government several times for a dialogue on the contentious issue, but the government remains silent, indicating its lack of interest for parleys with the Opposition, alleged Alamgir. “Under the circumstances, the nationalist forces along with the countrymen have no alternative but to launch a
strong movement to force the government to enter into a dialogue and the prevailing political stalemate,” he added.
According to him, the ruling Awami League has resorted to cheap politics by staging a drama, under the guise of the phone call to BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia, for talks. “I myself sent a letter to Awami League general secretary Syed Ashraful Islam, suggesting the talks, and tried to reach him over the phone as well, but failed,” he claimed.
About the government’s alleged attempts to tarnish the political image of BNP senior vice-chairman Tarique Rahman, Alamgir, alleged that the verdict against Tarique Rahman, on a money laundering allegation, may go against him, in line with the government’s directive.
A Dhaka court, on Thursday, fixed Sunday for delivering verdict in the money-laundering case against BNP senior vice-chairman Tarique Rahman, and his business partner, Giasuddin Al Mamun.
Claiming that the verdict was being delivered hurriedly and with mala fide intention, Alamgir alleged, “The prosecution could not prove them (Rahman and Mamun) guilty in the case, yet they would be proved guilty. The government is conspiring in many ways to destroy unity in the BNP-led 18 Party Alliance, ahead of the 10th parliamentary polls.”
Alamgir also accused the government of stoking hostilities during the opposition’s hartal programme across the country.
Awami League activists and people from government agencies are responsible for the violent activities during the hartal. People with vested interest have been carrying out anarchy, to derail the opposition’s anti-government movement for election under a neutral poll-time administration,” he alleged.
BNP leaders Abdul Moeen Khan, Abdullah Al Noman, Selima Rahman, Zafrul Hassan and others spoke at the programme, with Shamsuzzaman Dudu, adviser to the BNP, chairing the conference.
-With The Independent input
