Jatiya Oikya Front chief Dr Kamal Hossain has said that it’s the government’s responsibility now to ensure a peaceful solution to the current political impasse over the next polls.

 “We have been trying to peacefully resolve the prevailing crisis. However, the ball now in the government’s court”, the Gana Forum chief told reporters at a press conference at his Bailey Road residence.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir echoed similar view in the briefing saying they believe in resolving issues through talks.

Responding to a query on BNP chief Khaleda Zia, he said, “The issue of Khaleda Zia’s release was discussed. We said that she is legally entitled to bail.”

Asked whether the government accepted their demand for dissolving parliament, Mirza Fakhrul said, “They (the government) said it can be discussed. We have announced a road march to press for our seven-point demands yesterday. If the schedule is announced tomorrow then we will march towards the Election Commission.”

The demand for deferring the polls aims for a meaningful election, said the BNP leader.

Earlier in the day, an 11-member delegation of Oikya Front took part in the three-hour long second round of discussion with Awami League-led 14-party alliance that began at 11:00am at the official residence of the prime minister.

Apart from Kamal and Fakhrul, other delegation members — ASM Abdur Rob, Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Moudud Ahmed, Mostafa Mahsin Mantu, Subrata Chowdhury, Mahmudur Rahman Manna, SM Akram, Abdul Malek Ratan and Sultan Mohammad Mansur Ahmed — participated in parley.

Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina led a 12-member delegation of the 14-party ruling alliance at the talks.

Her delegation included Obaidul Quader, Amir Hossain Amu, Tofail Ahmed, Mohammad Nasim, Rashed Khan Menon, Hasanul Haq Inu, Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim, Advocate Anisul Huq, Dr Dipu Moni, Advocate SM Rezaul Karim and Abdus Sobhan Golap.

The Oikya Front’s seven-point demands include holding the next parliamentary election under a nonpartisan government, dissolution of parliament before the polls and reconstituting the Election Commission.