Greetings, not dialogue

Changing his earlier statement that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will hold dialogue with political parties that joined talks before the election, Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader yesterday said the PM will invite parties only to exchange post-election greetings with them.

Quader on Sunday told reporters that the PM will invite 75 political parties -- with whom she had held talks before the December 30 parliamentary polls -- for holding post-election dialogue at her Gono Bhaban residence.

Addressing the extended meeting of AL Dhaka South City Unit at the party's central office at city's Bangabandhu Avenue, Quader yesterday said Prime Minister wants to invite those 75 political parties to exchange post-election greetings with them. There will be no invitation for holding dialogue with them, rather views-exchange and greetings will take place, he said.

Quader, also Road Transport and Bridges minister, said there is no need for dialogue over the election. Question of holding dialogue over the election is absurd, as no confusion or question was raised regarding it. 

The extended meeting was organised as part of the party's preparation to hold a grand rally on January 19 to mark its landslide victory in the 11th parliamentary election.

Rejecting the December 30 election for alleged widespread irregularities and rigging, main opposition alliance Jatiya Oikyafront has been demanding that the government hold a national dialogue with stakeholders for a fresh election in line with the constitution and laws.

After Quader's statement on Sunday over holding dialogue, Oikyafront convener Dr Kamal Hossain appreciated the PM's decision to hold fresh talks with political parties, saying it was a positive step. 

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on the other hand yesterday commented that Oikyafront would decide whether it would sit for a fresh round of talks with Sheikh Hasina, once the agenda is set.

“The issue of scrapping the election must be there as an agenda, and then we will consider joining the talks,” Fakhrul, also spokesperson of Oikyafront, said while talking to reporters after offering prayers at the shrine of Hazrat Shahjalal (RA) in Sylhet.