The Awami League-led 14-Party Alliance has asked opposition BNP to present its version of the ‘election-time government’ in the upcoming Parliament session.
It has also decided to further broaden the alliance by including other parties imbued with the spirit of the Liberation War.
After Tuesday’s meeting at the Awami League President’s Dhanmondi office, Presidium Member Mohammad Nasim urged the BNP to shun demonstrations and join Parliament for talks.
“It is the season of election, not agitations. They (the BNP) can place any proposal they wish in Parliament,” he said.
At a discussion of the BNP’s parliamentary caucus on Monday, party spokesperson Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir had said they would ‘soon’ outline their version of a poll-time government.
The 18-Party alliance, which the BNP leads, has been holding street agitations demanding the restoration of the provision for a non-party, caretaker government since the 15th constitutional amendment scrapped it two years ago in line with a previous Supreme Court verdict.
As per the Constitution, the 10th national election will be held under the incumbent government between Oct 27 this year and Jan 24 next. The opposition has been contesting the idea, saying polls under a partisan body will not be ‘free and fair’ and has threatened boycott.
On the other hand, the government has been saying the election will be organised under its oversight as per the Constitution.As for the ruling alliance’s expansion, Nasim said the meeting had discussed the inclusion other parties that are ‘on the side of the Liberation War’.
“We have discussed the matter with the chief of the alliance, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, and will discuss with other parties,” he said without further elaboration.
On the observation of an Election Commissioner (EC) that organising polls will be difficult without dissolving Parliament, Nasim said, “It is merely a personal opinion of an EC. Moreover, everything is at a discussion stage.”
Election Commissioner Mohammad Abu Hafiz on Sunday had said, “It will be very tough for the EC (Election Commission) to organise polls without dissolving Parliament. But it will be easier once the House is dissolved.”
Ruling alliance partner Workers Party chief Rashed Khan Menon, responding to a question over Awami League-BNP dialogues, said, “The Leader of the Opposition (BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia) did not respond to our talks offer in the past.”
“The 14-Party will welcome them (the opposition) if they want to sit for talks,” he said.
Menon said dialogues could be held anywhere.
Minister without portfolio Suranjit Sengupta presided over Tuesday’s meeting.
He claimed the people had rejected the opposition’s demand for a non-party caretaker government.
“Let’s see where they place their outline. The Parliament is reconvening in two days. It is the best place for talks,” said the Awami League Presidium Member.
Source: Bd news24