In a new turn of event in the country’s volatile political landscape, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday urged BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam to initiate talks with his ruling party counterpart to resolve the ongoing political crisis, reports UNB.
The Prime Minister made the call as she met Fakhrul at the Armed Forces Day reception at Senakunja of Dhaka Cantonment, Information Minister Hasanul Huq Inu told UNB.
“You (opposition) join the election and initiate dialogue to this end. We’ll do everything necessary for holding a free, fair and credible election,” Inu quoted Hasina as telling Fakhrul.
As the Prime Minister asked Fakhrul for engraining in discussions, someone present there told Hasina that the opposition wants to engage in secretary general-level dialogue, and then the premier said, “All right, initiate talks,” Inu said describing how the matter came up for discussion.”
In reply, Fakhrul told the Prime Minister that he could not reach Awami League general secretary Syed Ashraful Islam despite his repeated attempts.
Inu said Sheikh Hasina with her natural humour told the BNP acting secretary general, “Sometime, I also cannot reach him. Try again you may get him and start talks.” The Prime Minister also told Fakhrul, “Let’s hold the election all together.”
Talking to reporters about his brief discussion with the Prime Minister, Fakhrul said he exchanged greetings with the Prime Minister as he met her. Asked whether the Prime Minister invited him for talks, Fakhrul apparently skipped the question saying,
“Thank you reporters of the both print and electronic media.” As the journalists insisted further, the BNP spokesman said, “BNP would come up with a positive response, if the government offer talks and takes an initiative in this regard.”
BNP chairperson and opposition leader Khaleda Zia, who attended the last year reception of the Armed Forces Day, did not turn up this time at Senakunja ‘due to ailment’.
The programme started with the national anthem after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina arrived at Senakunja around 4:08 pm. After delivering her speech,
Hasina went round different corners of Senakunja and exchanged pleasantries with the invitees, including current and former military officials and their spouses, politicians of different political parties, diplomats, high civil officials, journalists, lawyers, and some other renowned persons.
At one stage of exchanging greetings with the political party leaders, cabinet colleagues and members of the diplomatic corps,
Hasina moved towards the BNP acting secretary general and talked to him for a while drawing attention of the entire gathering. Former Speaker Barrister Jamiruddin Sircar and BNP standing committee member Lt Gen (retd) Mahbubur Rahman was present there. Chief Whip Abdus Shahid, who was closely following the discussion between Prime Minister and Fakhrul, told reporters that Sheikh Hasina reaffirmed Fakhrul her political pledge of holding a free and fair national polls and again urged the opposition to join it.
“The government would provide all the necessary support to the EC for holding such a free, fair and credible election which is expected by the entire nation,” Abdus Shahid quoted the Prime Minister as saying.
The Armed Forces Division organizes reception each year for the family members of the Bir Shresthas (highest award winners for gallantry) as well as selected freedom fighters with other gallantry awards and their family members.
-With UNB input
