Anything possible if there’s consensus, says Iqbal Sobhan
The ruling Awami League on Wednesday reaffirmed its determination to hold the next general election on January 5.
The firm resolve came from a meeting of some senior AL leaders held with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her official residence Ganobhaban.
PM’s Adviser Dr Gowher Rizvi and AL leaders Amir Hossain Amu, Tofail Ahmed and Abdul Latif Siddique and Mahbubul Alam Hanif were, among others, present at the meeting.
Talking to reporters at the main gate of Ganobhaban after the meeting, AL joint general secretary Mahbubul Alam Hanif said the January-5 general election came up at the meeting for discussion.
PM’s Media adviser Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury said it would be possible to reach a consensus through dialogue if the opposition stopped its destructive activities across the country.
He said the dialogue that started between AL and BNP during UN envoy Taranco’s visit would continue. “If there’s any consensus anything can be happen over the election,” he said adding that deferring the election is the only jurisdiction of the Election Commission.
The AL meeting was held at a time when UN Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs Oscar Fernández Taranco was leaving the country wrapping up his six-day hectic tour of Bangladesh to help its bickering political parties reach an understanding over the next polls.
Taranco urged both the ruling and opposition camps in Bangladesh to continue the dialogue in the spirit of goodwill and compromise.
Meeting sources said the leaders discussed the party plan and preparations for the next election, the present stance of HM Ershad led Jatiya Party and continue the dialogue with the opposition BNP.
They put emphasis on holding the election for the continuation of the constitutional process.
Source: UNB Connect
