AL asks BNP to have faith in president

Senior leaders of the ruling Awami League asked the BNP to keep faith in President Abdul Hamid, saying the next Election Commission to be formed by him would be acceptable to all.

They said they would accept any decision made by the president and would expect the BNP to do the same.

"We will certainly accept the president's decision on the formation of a search committee for constituting the next Election Commission. We think BNP will also accept his decision without creating any trouble," said AL presidium member Mohammed Nasim while addressing a programme in the capital yesterday.

Like other ruling party leaders, Nasim thanked the opposition party for responding to the president's invitation to a dialogue on EC formation and for giving its proposal.

AL leaders Abdur Razzaque and Mahbubul Alam Hanif, however, said several demands put out on BNP's 13-point proposal were unrealistic like EC formation through a consensus among all political parties.

Talking to The Daily Star, AL presidium member Abdur Razzaque said, "We think the president will make a rational solution ... as the guardian of the nation and constitute a neutral commission that will hold free, fair and credible national polls in 2019." 

"He [Hamid] is a wise person and has long experience with politics."

EC formation through all-party consensus is unrealistic but “I hope the president will consider BNP's proposal,” said Razzaque.

In the prevailing political situation in the country, AL Joint General Secretary Mahbubul Alam Hanif said, it is impossible that all parties would reach a consensus on a particular issue.

He, however, expressed the hope that the president would form a new EC within his constitutional jurisdiction, and that would be acceptable to all.

"I will ask BNP to keep faith in him as he will make a wise decision as our guardian.”

At another programme on Bangabandhu Avenue, AL General Secretary Obaidul Quader said good sense had prevailed as the BNP met the president for talks on EC formation.

"BNP should have an open mind in the dialogue.” Otherwise, the efforts will go in vain, he said at a time when BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia along with other senior party members was on the way to Bangabhaban.

"The government thinks the president is very liberal and he will discharge his duties properly," Quader said.

Referring to BNP's meeting with late president Zillur Rahman, Quader, minister for roads, transport and bridges, said the party's dialogue with him had not been fruitful.

"They met the then president, responding to his call, but they didn't accept his decision.”

Khaleda on November 18 unveiled her proposal and urged Hamid to form a search committee based on a consensus among registered political parties.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on November 23 requested the president to take steps for dialogues on the BNP's charter.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina met Hamid at Bangabhaban on December 4, and eight days later the president's office invited five political parties to join the first phase of the dialogue.