PM to hold second phase dialogue with Oikya Front Nov 7

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DHAKA, Nov 4, 2018 (BSS)- The second phase dialogue between the Awami League-led 14-party alliance and Jatiya Oikya Front (JOF) will be held on November 7.

“As per a proposal of JOF top leader Dr Kamal Hossain, the second phase talks between the two alliances will take place at small group at the Prime Minister’s official Ganabhaban residence at 11am on November 7,” Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader told reporters after a meeting of the 14-party alliance at Ganabhaban tonight.

Quader, also the Road Transport and Bridges Minister, said he received a letter on holding dialogue again from Dr Kamal and handed over it to the prime minister during the ECNEC meeting today.

“Our leader has agreed to hold the dialogue as she previously said her door is always open for all,” the AL general secretary said.

In this connection, he said there will be no scope for holding talks with anybody after November 7. “Within this time, we will cover all the dialogues as 85 political parties have so far showed their interest to hold talks with us,” he said.

Quader said the 14-party has already held dialogues with the JOF and Jukto Front.

“The dialogue with Jatiya Party will be held tomorrow and there are Left Democratic Alliance and other Islamic parties in which talks will be held,” he said.

“In total, we’ll accommodate as much as possible till November 7,” Quader added.

Replying to a question about Khaleda Zia’s release on parole, the AL general secretary said why the BNP leader will take release on parole. “Is anybody of Khaleda Zia sick or died?” he questioned.

Quader said Khaleda Zia can take release on parole if she needs medical treatment abroad. “If Khaleda Zia needs treatment abroad, the Oikya Front can apply in this regard and the BNP can make request to the prime minister … we’ve nothing to do in this regard,” he said.

The AL general secretary questioned further that how the BNP leader will take release on parole? “Is this for participating in the polls … is this a rule?” he asked an added that the BNP is yet to make any application in this regard.

About the discussion on seat sharing among the 14-party partners, Quader said the Prime Minister told the 14-party leaders that the alliance will contest the election for winning it.

He said the Prime Minister also said the prospective candidates will be given nomination in every constituency from the 14-party alliance.

“There’s no way to consider the opponents week … We’ll fight together in the 11th parliamentary elections and we’ll fight any situation unitedly,” he said.

The AL general secretary said if any evil force makes evil efforts to foil the elections the 14-party alliance will resist it together. “We’ve to do tough fight,” he said.

Quader continued: “We’ve to consider that how much acceptable our candidates before the people … winnable and acceptable must be given nomination and we all agreed it.”

Talking to reporters, 14-party spokesman Mohammad Nasim said their alliance partners will join the election under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina. “The 14-party leaders expressed their unwavering support to Sheikh Hasina’s leadership.”

He said the 14-party leaders also gave Sheikh Hasina all the authority to take decision on seat sharing.

Nasim also said the election must be held under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as per the current constitution. “There’s no scope to budge even an inch from the constitution.”

On Thursday, the Awami League-led 14-praty alliance and Jatiya Oikya Front had marathon discussions at Ganabhaban over the next general election.

Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina led a 23-member 14-party delegation while Gono Forum President Dr Kamal Hossain a 20-member Jatiya Oikya Front team in the discussion.

On Friday, the 14-party alliance held talks with Dr Badruddoza Chowdhury-led Jatiya Jukta Front at Ganabhaban.