AL, BNP wait on govt's next move
Two major political parties Awami League (AL) and BNP are waiting to see the caretaker government implement the consensual agreements they reached at the last round of politico-electoral talks among the three.
Insiders of both parties said they want the agreements to be implemented before the announcement of the detailed election schedule on November 2.
Leaders of both parties said they especially want to hear specific decisions coming from the military backed government regarding the state of emergency, and about participation of their chiefs Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina in the election.
Top leaders of BNP-led four-party alliance are likely to meet soon to evaluate the post dialogue situation.
AL Presidium Member Tofail Ahmed said during the talks it was made clear to them that Sheikh Hasina will be allowed to contest in the election.
He told The Daily Star last night, "I call upon the government to implement the agreements immediately for the sake of creating an atmosphere conducive to holding a free and credible election."
"There is no legal or constitutional obstacle to allowing AL President Sheikh Hasina contest in the election," he said.
After the dialogues the two major parties and the government termed it as positive and said they reached a consensus on a number of the parties' demands.
Commerce Adviser to the Caretaker Government Hossain Zillur who is also playing the role of the government spokesman said after the talks, "The electionmobile has got on the election highway."
But two days after the talks the two major political parties expressed concerns as they had not seen any government step towards implementing the agreements.
AL and BNP have taken clear stands that they will boycott the election if their chiefs are not allowed to contest in the poll, but the government has yet to clear its position on the matter.
Hossain Zillur at an event in Chittagong yesterday said leaderships of Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina in their respective parties are politically established, but their participation in the upcoming poll depends on some legal matters.
"They are inspiring and leading their parties. So, that is a big thing, their leaderships are beyond any question," he said.
"We have told you earlier that there is a legal process through which you will get exact answers to your specific question," he said when asked whether Hasina and Khaleda will be allowed to contest in the upcoming election.
BNP Secretary General Khandaker Delwar Hossain at an event in the capital yesterday threatened that BNP will boycott the election if its Chairperson Khaleda Zia is not allowed to contest.
He said, "The electionmobile is still roaming the alleyways, as the government has yet to meet our seven-point demand."
"We want to get on the election highway, but you have put up a barricade at the entrance," Delwar quipped while addressing a rally organised by Sabujbagh thana unit of BNP in the city.
"How have you got on the election highway without meeting our demands?" he threw a question at the government from the rally.
BNP Standing Committee Member Tanbir Ahmed Siddiky in another event in the city yesterday said they will consider their demands being met if six out of the seven are met.
He demanded implementation of the consensual agreements before announcing the detailed election schedule on November 2.
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