A senior minister has ruled out ruled out any foreign pressure on the government to hold dialogue with political parties over the next general election.
“Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is going to sit with the leaders of Jatiya Oikya Front to uphold the continuation of democracy,” Law Minister Anisul Huq said on Tuesday (Oct 30)
Speaking to the reporters after a programme in Narayanganj’s Chandmari area, Huq said, “Oikya Front leader Dr Kamal Hossain sent a letter to the Prime Minister for dialogue.”
She (Hasina) responded saying “To ensure the democratic trend, which was achieved through immense struggle and sacrifice, my door is always open for discussions on all issues according to the Constitution.”
“So, it makes clears that there is no foreign pressures (on the govt) over dialogue,” he added.
Replying to a question on whether jailed BNP chief Khaleda Zia can contest in the upcoming national polls, Huq said the final decision in this regard will be taken by the court.
Earlier, the minister also inaugurated the district registrar office building, constructed at a cost of Tk 55 million.
Early in the day, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina wrote back to Jatiya Oikya Front inviting the newly-formed alliance to a dialogue on Thursday (Nov 1) in her official residence Ganobhaban.
Hasina, also the ruling Awami League President, invited the Oikya Front at 7pm on Nov 1 at the Gonobhaban for the dialogue the alliance sought.
On Sunday (Oct 28), the alliance wrote to the Awami League calling the ruling party to hold a dialogue.
The alliance sent two separate letters, signed by its leader Gano Forum chief Dr Kamal Hossain, to the AL President and General Secretary Obaidul Quader.