The ruling Awami League was not in favour of talks with political parties, including the BNP, Jukto Front and Oikya Front, says General Secretary Obaidul Quader.
“But our leader has decided to go for talks and most the people, irrespective of their political affiliations and ideologies, have liked it,” he said on Wednesday while speaking to the media after meeting French Ambassador Marie-Annick Bourdin and German Ambassador Peter Fahrenholtz at his offices in the Secretariat.
A cabinet member, Quader said that the Awami League will hold talks with other parties apart from the Kamal Hossain-led Jatiya Oikya Front and AQM Bodruddoza Chowdhury-led Jukto Front.
“Since the BNP is in the Oikya Front, a separate talk with the party will not be possible due to time constraint,” he said.
Describing the issue of BNP chief Khaleda Zia’s conviction graft cases as a judicial matter, the senior Awami League leader said, “It would not be appropriate to raise the issue in the talks. However, of course, there’s room for discussion.”
On the polls-time administration, Quader, the road transport minister, hinted that the existing Cabinet will remain. “The government will scale down its works during the polls. We will comply with the electoral code of conduct.”