'BNP will force govt to sit for dialogue'

BNP senior leader Moudud Ahmed on Friday said their party will force the government to hold a dialogue with political parties over the next general elections, reports UNB.

"Obaidul Quader said there's no need to hold any dialogue. You'll certainly feel the need for talks. The government will be forced to engage in talks and it's now only a matter of time," he said.

The BNP leader came up with the remarks while speaking at a discussion organised by Adarsha Nagorik Andolon at the Jatiya Press Club.

Earlier in the day, ruling Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader at a press conference said their party does not feel any necessity to hold any dialogue with the BNP over the next general elections as the party turned down the prime minister's such offer before the last general elections.

Reacting to Quader's comment, Moudud said the ruling party will change its stance on talks in the face of a movement and the situation will emerge in the days to come.

The BNP leader, however, said the current political 'crisis' can be resolved without talks depending on the situation to emerge in the future.

He said unity among people and the political parties is now very crucial to restore democracy in the county. "All must get united to free Khaleda Zia from jail and restore democracy through a successful movement under her leadership."

Moudud, also BNP standing committee member, said the government must release Khaleda Zia from jail if it really wants to hold a credible election.
"It's one of our main conditions," he insisted.

Besides, he said, parliament must be dissolved 90 days before the elections, army will have to be deployed with magistracy power and the thousands of political cases filed against the BNP leaders and activists must be withdrawn for creating a proper atmosphere for the elections.

The BNP leader urged all the political parties, intellectuals and professionals to get united for the restoration of democracy in the country defeating the Awami League.