People to blame leaders if they fail to fulfill aspirations, says Rushanara
BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia on Friday told the visiting British parliamentary team that her party is ready to sit with the government anytime if it wants to overcome the ongoing political crisis over the polls-time government through talks.
Khaleda came up with the remarks during a meeting with six British lawmakers at her Gulshan residence, BNP vice chairman Shamsher Mobin Chowdhury, who was present at the meeting, told reporters after the meeting.
“The opposition leader told the British parliamentary team members that BNP is ready for dialogue right away. Now it’s the responsibility of the government to create a congenial atmosphere for the talks,” Mobin said.
The six-member team of British All–Party Parliamentary Group, led by Anne Main, had nearly an hour-long meeting with the BNP chief in the evening.
The other members of the team are Bangladesh-born Rushanara Ali and Pakistan-born Shabana Mahmood, Nick de Bois, Simon Danczuk, Jonathan Reynolds.
British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Robert W Gibson, BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, party chairpersons’ advisers Reaz Rahman and Sabihuddin Ahmed and Shamsher Mobdin were also present.
Talking to reporters Rushanara Ali, MP, said, “We want to see a free, fair and credible election in Bangladesh with the participation of all parties.”
Stressing the importance of a dialogue to reach a consensus about the polls-time government, she said, “We think political parties here can find out a solution to the ongoing political crisis through discussions.”
Rushanara, however, said they are not creating any pressure on the political parties to sit for a dialogue as they think political parties in Bangladesh will be able to reach a compromise over resolving the problem.
The British MP mentioned that the friendly countries of Bangladesh have already urged the two major parties to reach an understanding through talks. “The Untied Nations and all Bangladesh’s friends have expressed their concern over the political deadlock and called upon them to resolve it.”
Rushanara said the people of Bangladesh expect the election to be held in a free and fair and peaceful manner in the country. “If the political parties fail to fulfill their aspirations, people will blame them.’’
She also said they had a fruitful discussion with the Bangladesh opposition leader on various issues.
Shamsher Mobin said BNP always wants to resolve the crisis through talks. “We’re ready to sit for a dialogue, but there’s no initiative in sight from the government side.”
Turning to RMG issue, Anne Main, MP said they want a healthy atmosphere to be ensured for garment workers in their workplaces.
Praising the quality of Bangladesh RMG products, she said the Bangladeshi RMG products are famous allover the world. “So, a good atmosphere must be ensured for the workers in their workplaces. The present government and those who will come in the future will have to ensure that.”
About factory disasters, Anne Main said there has been a deep concern among the international community and in the UK following the huge loss of lives in Tazreen Fashion fire and Rana Palaza collapse.
Meanwhile, two of the British MPs — Bangladesh-born Rushanara Ali and Pakistan-born Shabana Mahmood — met Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her official residence Ganobhaban on Thursday evening.
The British MPs are also scheduled to hold meetings with Nobel Laureate Dr Muhammad Yunus, some other high-profile politicians and civil society members during their weeklong visit to Bangladesh.
They are also likely to visit several apparel factories to observe the working conditions there.
Source: UNB Connect
