Main opposition BNP has agreed to hold “unconditional” secretary general level talks with the ruling Awami League over the polls-time government issue, claimed FBCCI President Kazi Akram Uddin Ahmed.
“This message will be conveyed to the prime minister in a day or two so that a dialogue can kick off,” Akram told reporters after a closed door meeting with opposition chief Khaleda Zia late last night.
However, Adviser to the BNP chairperson Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury did not make any comment about agreeing to take part in unconditional talks; but said the party chief welcomed the businessmen’s initiative. “This initiative might create positive environment for talks.”
Regarding the 60-hour hartal beginning tomorrow, Khosru said there was no connection between a dialogue and the hartal.
Meeting sources said when the business leaders had asked for withdrawal of hartal, Khaleda Zia shot back saying there was no other option because the government had snatched away all the constitutional rights.
The business leaders, however, could not counter the opposition chief’s question.
A party insider, who attended the meeting, also said Khaleda Zia told the business leaders that withdrawing hartal could be a short term solution; but a long term solution was needed.
Business leaders reportedly told Khaleda that if a “third power” took over, then the businessmen would have to suffer. “So, please compromise for the sake of businesses,” the leaders urged the former premier.
In reply, Khaleda reportedly asked the business leaders to stand strong against the government’s move to hold unilateral polls.
The FBCCI president hoped that the two parties would reach a consensus over the polls-time government issue for the sake of the country and its economy.
M Atiqul Islam, president of garments exporters’ body BGMEA, said: “I personally request the BNP chairperson to keep the readymade garment sector out the purview of the hartal.
He also said the business community wanted to see an immediate end to the present political crisis in the greater interest of the national economy and also the country’s future.
BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and other party leaders, President of the Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) Rokia Afzal Rahman, former FBCCI presidents Abdul Awal Mintoo, Yousuf Abdullah Harun, AK Azad, and Annisul Huq, Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Sabur Khan were present at the meeting.
On Octotber 28, the businessmen held a meeting to reach a political solution to the imminent confrontation over the upcoming elections due early next year.
They urged the Awami League and the BNP to find a common ground regarding the election.
Source: Dhaka Tribune
