Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chowdhury on Sunday said a solution to the current political impasse centering the election-time government could be found through talks. “The two major political parties of the country are sincere about holding talks over the poll-time government; the venue and details of the dialogue are yet to be determined,” she told reporters after her meeting with the visiting UN delegation at her parliament office. Once the talks start, I am quite hopeful we will be able to overcome the current political crisis, the speaker said. At her meeting with the UN team, the team leader UN assistant secretary-general for political affairs Oscar Fernandez-Taranco requested her to take initiative for talks between the government and opposition.
Chowdhury said the UN delegation also wanted to know from her about the speaker’s role in the such talks. She told the visiting delegation that Parliament is the perfect place for holding such talks and there wouldn’t be any discrimination against anyone if the dialogue is held in the House as all members have equal rights.
“A political consensus is very important,” she said adding that she would take all necessary steps if the political leaders come forward and make a decision in this regard.
Asked if the issue of ongoing political violence came up for discussion during the meeting with UN delegation, the speaker said the visitors observed that the political stalemate couldn’t be resolved through violent activities.
Replying to a question on return of opposition lawmakers to the Parliament, Chowdhury said she always expects that the opposition would join the session and take part in the discussion.
“I will take necessary measures to resolve the problems of the opposition lawmakers if they tell me the reasons behind their not joining the Parliament,” she added.
Oscar Fernández-Taranco avoided making any comment over the outcome of their meeting with the speaker. He, however, said he would talk to journalists at a press conference on Monday.
Meanwhile, informed sources said, the UN assistant secretary-general told speaker the UN attaches high importance to its partnership with Bangladesh.
He expressed hope that a congenial atmosphere would be created in Bangladesh before the next general election and both the ruling and opposition parties would be able to hold a free, fair and acceptable poll through discussions among them.
-With The Independent input
