Reaffirming that the government did not publish the telephonic conversation between Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and opposition leader Khaleda Zia, Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu on Wednesday said they will investigate the matter.
“We neither recorded the conversation nor published it. Action will be taken if the circulation of the conversation is proved illegal under the ICT Act following investigation,” he said.
Inu came up with the remarks while replying to queries at a mass dialogue jointly organised by Department of Mass Communication and Islamic Foundation at the Theatre Institute auditorium in the port city.
The Prime Minister phoned the opposition leader and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia on Saturday evening requesting her to withdraw their three-day hartal, and meet her at Ganobhaban over dinner last Monday for talks over the election-time cabinet.
The BNP chief, however, did not respond to the PM’s offers.
Inu, also president of Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal, said the conversation could be circulated only after consent from both of the leaders as it is not a personal conversation.
Observing that there could be misunderstanding if the conversation is circulated partly, the minister accused those who are circulating the partly the conversation of confusing people.
Underscoring the importance of dialogue to resolve the ongoing grave political crisis, he urged the main opposition BNP to sit for talks with the government without any preconditions.
In this regard, he mentioned that the Prime Minister’s offer for dialogue is still in effect.
Source: UNB Connect
But the minister said at the outset, ” PEOPLE HAVE A RIGHT TO KNOW WHAT WAS DISCUSSED”. Why is this about turn? Is it not the sign of utter panic?