Dhaka:
The Awami League has rejected the National Unity Front's demand to dissolve parliament and form a non-partisan, election-time government during the Ganabhaban dialogue. Along with the promise of free and fair elections, it has also been stated that the Awami League-led coalition government will not go beyond the constitution.
Awami League General Obaidul Quader made this statement while briefing journalists after holding a dialogue with the National Unity Front at Ganabhaban on Thursday (November 1) night.
The dialogue between the National Unity Front and the Awami League-led alliance began at 7 pm and ended shortly after 10:30 pm.
The three-and-a-half-hour dialogue discussed various issues including the election-time government, Khaleda Zia's release, and political cases.
Among the seven demands, the National Unity Front's number one demand was - 'The government's resignation, the dissolution of the National Parliament, the formation of a non-partisan, neutral government during the election period in consultation with all political parties, and the release of all political prisoners, including former Prime Minister Khaleda, and the withdrawal of false cases must be ensured for the purpose of free, fair and impartial elections.'
Regarding the main demand of the National Unity Front, 'dissolving the parliament and forming a non-partisan, neutral government during the election period,' Awami League General Secretary Obadul Quader said, "We will not go beyond the constitution. We have said one thing - the leader (Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina) has also mentioned this in her letter that all issues in accordance with the constitution will be discussed. We cannot go beyond the constitution. We have told them this clearly."
Obaidul Quader said that Awami League President Sheikh Hasina has assured the Unity Front leaders of fair elections. The Prime Minister has assured free, fair and impartial elections.
He said the Prime Minister told them that the Election Commission is responsible for a fair election. After the schedule is announced, all the responsibilities are with the Election Commission. The Election Commission will take an authoritative role. The government will not interfere. So there is no reason to worry about the election.
Regarding the demand for Khaleda Zia's release, the Awami League General Secretary told reporters that the Prime Minister told them that it is a matter of law, a matter of the court. No matter of law or court can come under dialogue. And this case was filed during the caretaker government. I did not file this case. And those who were in charge of the caretaker government were from BNP.
Quader said, "There were 16 cases against our leader. They were investigated and reported, and no case was withdrawn."
Regarding political cases, Obaidul Quader said, "They have raised the issue of political cases. In this regard, Mirza Fakhrul and Kamal Hossain have asked the Prime Minister to provide a list of such cases. The Prime Minister said, "We will investigate this matter and take action."
Regarding meetings and rallies, he said that there will be freedom of meetings and expression. However, the Prime Minister said that they should be held in the field instead of blocking the roads.
Highlighting the dialogue discussions on level playing field and foreign tourists, Quader said, "They demanded a level playing field and foreign observers. We have agreed on these issues. We will cooperate in this regard."
Highlighting the issue of EVM (Electronic Voting Machine), he said, "The Prime Minister told the Oikya Front leaders that EVM is a modern system, we support it. However, this time the Election Commission may use EVM in a limited manner. We will support this."
Regarding the demand for deploying the army with judicial powers, Quader said, "Our leaders told Dr. Kamal Hossain, you tell me, you also held elections. Many elections have been held in this country since independence. Out of these elections, the army was given this responsibility only once, in 2001. Besides, the army has never had magisterial power in any election in Bangladesh. So why do you want it now?"
In response to a question about whether there will be another dialogue with the Oikyafront, the Awami League General Secretary said, "The door to discussion will remain open. Discussions will be held again if the Oikyafront wants."
Obaidul Quader said that there was an open discussion in the dialogue, and that the leaders of the Oikya Front, Dr. Kamal Hossain and all those who wanted to speak, spoke. Many spoke more than once. Awami League President Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina listened to everyone with undivided attention.
"Senior leaders have also spoken on our behalf. They had some complaints, and our leaders have conveyed our views on those issues. We have agreed on some issues."
When asked about the position of the Oikyafront leaders in the dialogue, he said, "I think many of them are convinced by the arguments the Prime Minister has used."
In the midst of the three-and-a-half-hour dialogue, the leaders of the Oikyafront attended a dinner hosted at Ganabhaban.
