Fresh dialogue with parties soon: Adviser
The government this week will hold a fresh round of dialogue with political parties for "qualitative improvement of electoral environment and politics".
"Dialogue is a continuous process. Issues have been discussed in the dialogues. We are to sit with Awami League (AL) and BNP again. This time the main agenda will be electoral environment and qualitative changes to politics. We will hold the dialogue soon," Commerce and Education Adviser Hossain Zillur Rahman told journalists after a seminar on "Quality of Education" in Dhaka organised by an NGO.
On AL and BNP's declaration about taking part in the elections without their party chiefs, Hossain Zillur said, "Uncertainty about elections will end a day after election day. There can be issues and those are legal matters… at one stage I am sure we will get answers." He said the issues must be resolved through dialogue.
"Every step needs to be taken on time so that the poll schedule remains as it is."
Hossain Zillur requested BNP not to link the registration issue with the next round of dialogue.
AL acting General Secretary Syed Ashraful Islam said one of the advisers of the interim government telephoned AL acting President Zillur Rahman Friday night about further talks on unresolved issues.
Zillur Rahman informed the adviser about their likelihood of sitting together this week.
Talking to journalists at his NAM flat in the capital yesterday, Ashraf said they would hold another round of talks with the caretaker government this week to reach a consensus about issues including the withdrawal of the state of emergency, unconditional release of AL President Sheikh Hasina and postponement of upazila polls.
The AL reiterated that it would ratify all steps of the incumbent government if voted to power. Earlier, AL President Sheikh Hasina also made similar statements.
"Most probably we will sit with the government Monday but the time will be declared on Sunday [today]," Ashraf said.
AL is scheduled to hold protest rallies across the country today to press home its six-point demand including unconditional release of Hasina and withdrawal of the state of emergency.
"Issues including withdrawal of the state of emergency and the false and fabricated cases against Sheikh Hasina and demarcation of the parliamentary constituencies will come up for discussion with the government among other issues," Ashraf said. He said a number of provisions in the revised Representation of the People Order (RPO) will also be discussed.
"During the talks we will urge the government to create a congenial atmosphere so that all political parties can take part in the December 18 elections without any reservations," Ashraf said.
The AL has already had three formal talks with the caretaker government--on April 13, June 11 and July 3 this year--and three other talks with the Election Commission.
Responding to a query, Ashraf said he believes that the much-talked-about "minus two" theory would not be implemented.
About ratifying the caretaker government's steps, Ashraf said, "The next elected government will ratify all the activities of the caretaker government. It is a normal practice. Even we earlier declared that if the Awami League is voted to power, it will endorse the caretaker government's activities."
On AL's election preparation, he said the party would start formal election campaigns under the leadership of Hasina after her return home.
He said the AL is confidant that the government would hold the parliamentary elections on December 18.
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