'CG has no secret deal with any political party'
The caretaker government made it clear that it has no 'secret understanding' with any political party.
The categorical statement from government side came as the new-generation Progressive Democratic Party (PDP), wanted clarification over the speculations particularly involving government's negotiations with Awami League.
Speaking at a post-dialogue joint press briefing at the CA's office, PDP Convenor Dr Ferdous Ahmed Qureshi said they asked openly at the dialogue about people's perception that the present interim government has 'understanding' with a certain political party, indicating Awami League.
He quoted Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed as having told them that “the caretaker government has no secret discussion with any political party”.
Education Adviser Hossain Zillur Rahman, who acts as government spokesperson in the ongoing series dialogue, told reporters at the briefing that they want to clearly state that the present government wants to advance following the roadmap, involving all political parties in reflection of the government's principles.
“We want to create a level playing field for healthy competition of political parties in the election.”
To a question about specific government principles, he mentioned reform of electoral rules, roadmap, giving attention to people's demands for attaining the key objective of holding meaningful election, qualitative change in politics, and ensuring post-election stability.
Indicating threat of some major political parties to boycott or resist elections, Qureshi said participation of voters is the only yardstick for election, not matter whether any political party participates or not.
They believe that presently minimum 60 percent voters want to participate in the elections ahead as they got the people's pulse during talks with people across the country. “People are election-oriented,” he said.
Replying to a question, Qureshi said an election would be acceptable if majority voters participate and cast vote, “notwithstanding any major political party participates or not”.
The newly floated party's chief thanked and congratulated the caretaker government on its strong steps to hold local-government elections and favoured holding all the local polls, including upazila elections, before election to parliament.
He pointed out that it had been noticed in the past that political parties before parliamentary elections had pledged to hold local elections, particularly upazila election, but after election forming government backtracked on it.
Regarding the PDP proposals like an additional 100 national seats and change in permanent allocation of election symbols, Zillur said they want to proceed discussing with all the proposals and new ideas.
Today's dialogue was the 16th dialogue between the caretaker government and political parties and various stakeholder groups that began May 22 to pave the way for smooth transition into democratic order.
Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed along with two advisers concerned was present at the dialogue.
The PDP convenor led an eight-member delegation to the talks.
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