The BNP has called the Awami League to join talks over the upcoming election with an ‘open mind’.
“Any talks require specific agendas. The opposition parties have already floated proposals for an all-inclusive and credible election, which can be discussed. If they (ruling party) does not want that, then it clears that they are not open to talks,” Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said on Saturday.
His statement, at a media briefing at the party offices, came in reaction to Awami League’s stance on that it will not enter into talks slapped by conditions.
“No talks with BNP over conditions slapped over the polls. Anything can be discussed but without prerequisites,” General Secretary Obaidul Quader told the media on Friday (Aug 10).
BNP leader Rizvi said on Saturday that they were ready for talks but not without an agenda.
“The BNP is always ready for talks on issues crucial for holding a free, fair and credible election, which we have been urging for quite some time now,” he said.
The release of jailed party chief, dissolving the parliament, forming a ‘neutral polls-time government’ and reforming the election commission are the prerequisites of the national election, he added.
“The BNP has always emphasised that only an all-inclusive election is not enough. It has to be ensured that the voters can cast the franchise freely,” said Rizvi.