Following talks with the ruling Awami League, leftist parties said that they have raised their demands and it now ‘entirely depends’ on the prime minister whether an all-inclusive election will take place.
The Left Democratic Alliance, a group of eight leftist parties including the Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB), and Bangladesher Samajtantrik Dal (BaSaD), held pre-election talks with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the Ganabhaban on Tuesday.
Emerging from the talks, CPB President Mujahidul Islam Selim said,”It entirely depends on the prime minister’s decision how the election will be.”
The coalition, however, did not make it clear whether they will take part in the general election if their demands are not accepted.
Selim’s CPB boycotted the 10th National Election in 2014. “We are ready for the polls as well as to boycott it if the atmosphere is not congenial.”
BaSaD General Secretary Khaliquzzaman said the talks ended with “hopes and apprehension”.
“The outcome of the dialogues will be clear once the prime minister discusses it during the press conference,” he said.
The coalition floated specific demands to ensure a free, fair and credible election in the talks, said its Coordinator Saiful Haque, the general secretary of Biplobi Workers’ Party.
“We have proposed to dissolve the parliament and formation of a neutral government upon talks with all parties before announcing the schedule. We have also demanded reconstitution of the election commission and scrapping the plans to use EVMs,” he said.
The issues can be addressed in line with the existing Constitution if the government is sincere, said Haque. “We will continue with our movement in the streets.”
The Awami League-led coalition and the leftist parties share the same spirit but have differences of opinion, said ruling party leader Obaidul Quader.
Briefing the media after the pre-election talks, he said, “They have raised their points clearly, which we believe can be addressed in line with the Constitution.”
The leftist parties said an election is possible according to the charter, said Quader.
He said that the prime minister will discuss the outcomes of the talks with political parties in a press conference.