The European Union has urged Opposition Leader Khaleda Zia to sit in a dialogue to resolve their conflict and not boycott the general elections due by Jan 24.
Khaleda, however, said there was no point in joining the election if it was not acceptable.
She has repeatedly hinted at staying away from the election if it is not held under a caretaker government.
Diplomats have been urging two leading political parties — opposition BNP and ruling Awami League — to resolve their differences through dialogue as fears of a political crisis looms large.
Nine diplomats of European Union countries in Dhaka – the UK, Germany, France, Spain, Denmark, Sweden and Netherlands – led by EU Ambassador in Dhaka William Hanna met the BNP Chairperson on Thursday night.
They discussed ongoing crisis, next election, violent incidents, situation on the minorities, and election monitoring with the Opposition Leader.
After the meeting, Hanna, who read out a written statement but did not take questions from the reporters, said they called on her to avoid any political violence or shutdown before, during and after the election.
Such programmes stood in the way of Bangladesh’s progress and were risky for the people as well, he said.
The next few weeks were critical for Bangladesh’s democracy and the EU wanted to help Bangladesh in maintaining democracy, the EU ambassador said.
The European Union also condemned the attacks on minority communities in Bangladesh. The recent attack on Hindus took place at Pabna’s Santhia Upazila.
Hanna said the EU would like to see an election that would be acceptable to all political parties.
He informed the Opposition Leader about their preparation to send an election-monitoring committee.
“The BNP is ready to sit in a secretary-general level dialogue. We want an acceptable election,” BNP Vice Chairman Shamsher Mobin Chowdhury quoted Khaleda as saying in reply.
Pointing to the attack on Hindus at Santhia, he further quoted Khaleda as telling the diplomats, someone involved in the attack was now accompanying a government minister.
Asked what Khaleda had said replying to the EU’s call to avoid shutdown, he quoted her as saying, “It is constitutional to call a peaceful programme for the sake of people’s democratic rights.”
Several months ago, a delegation of envoys of Arab nations met Khaleda and recommended an election with all parties in it.
Earlier this week, top business leaders met her and proposed for talks between secretary-general of the Awami League and the BNP.
The business leaders met Prime Minister Hasina on Thursday and the EU has also sought an appointment with her.
Source: Bd news24
