BNP unqualified to sit for dialogue: Obaidul

Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader today ruled out any possibility of a dialogue with BNP saying the party lacks qualification to engage in a dialogue with the Awami League government.  

“Qualification is needed to sit for a dialogue in the present world. Without qualification, no dialogue takes place,” he said while speaking at a reception programme for the journalists-cum-writers at Dhaka Reporters’ Unity (DRU).

Quader’s remark came a day after BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, who is presently staying in London for her eye treatment, called upon the government to take initiative for a national dialogue “for the sake of the nation”.

Pointing fingers to those trying to destabilise law and order in the country, the minister said it is a folly if anyone thinks they would be able to make Bangladesh a failed state like Afghanistan or Pakistan.

“Those who will make such evil attempt will fail,” he said adding that Bangladesh got liberated by sacrificing blood of martyrs and is a nation of the victorious.

Quader blamed BNP for destroying congenial environment for a dialogue and national unity saying “They [BNP] are attacking the writers, publishers, foreigners and police and targeting politicians and the writers. Is this an environment for a dialogue?”

He further said that there will be change in government only through an election or a movement.

DRU honored 22 reporters-cum-writers in the programme.

Tajul Islam MP, chairman of the parliamentary standing committee on power, energy and mineral resources ministry, DRU General Secretary Elias Hossain and Vice-president Rafiqul Islam Azad also spoke at the programme chaired by its President Shakhawat Hossain Badsha.