B Chy calls dialogue with PM Hasina successful
Jukta Front chairman AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury on Friday night said their dialogue with the 14-party alliance has been successful as prime minister Sheikh Hasina agreed in principle on most of their demands.
"The prime minister responded positively to the demands that we placed for a fair election. She also agreed in principle on most of our demands," he said.
B Chowdhury, also the president of Bikalpa Dahra Bangladesh, said this at a press conference at his Baridhara residence after the talks between the ruling Bangladesh Awami League president Sheikh Hasina-led 14-party alliance and Jukta (United) Front at Ganabhaban, the official residene of the prime minister.
He said Sheikh Hasina said a level-playing field for all parties will be ensured during the election. "She told us that the election commission (EC) will remain under the president, not under the government, after the announcement of the election schedule."
The BDB chief said the prime minister also agreed with them that all the government officials and employees who are directly or indirectly involved with the elections will remain under the EC.
He said she also agreed to withdraw the government facilities for ministers and MPs after the announcement of the election schedule.
B Chowdhury, former president of the country, however, said the prime minister did not agree to their demand of forming either a national or election-time government. "But she said the election-time government will remain neutral."
About army deployment in the polls, he said the prime minister said army will be there at upazila level as a striking force.
The Jukta Front chief said the prime minister assured them that she will talk to the president about their objection to the use of EVM (electronic voting machine) in the elections.
He said the premier also said their demand for releasing before the elections of those arrested for political reasons is practical.
Earlier, talking to newsmen after coming out of Ganabhaban, B Chowdhury said they are happy with the outcome of the dialogue. "We're very happy as we could clearly say everything we had in mind."
He also said they think the prime minister apparently accepted most of their demands.
BDB secretary general Abdul Mannan said they had very good discussions.
Replying to a question, he also said they will join the elections under the incumbent government.
A day after her discussion with Kamal Hossain-led Jatiya Oikya Front, prime minister Sheikh Hasina held talks with Jukta Front in the evening for holding the 11th parliamentary elections.
Also AL president, Sheikh Hasina led the 14-party delegation at the dialogue while BDB president and Jukta Front chairman AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury-led 21-member team.
The Jukta Front delegation members included BDB secretary general retired major Abdul Mannan, its presidium members Shamsher Mobin Chowdhury, Golam Sarwar Milon, Abdur Rouf Mannan, Mohammad Yousuf, vice president Mahmuda Chowdhury, former MP HM Golam Reza, BLDP president Nazimuddin Al Azad, its general secretary Delwar Hossain, Bangladesh NAP chairman Jebel Rahman Gani, its secretary general M Golam Mostafa Bhuiyan, National Democratic Party (NDP) chairman Khandaker Golam Mortuza, and Janata Party president Sheikh Asaduzzaman.
On Thursday night, the AL-led 14-praty alliance and Jatiya Oikya Front had marathon discussions at Ganabhaban over the next general elections.
AL president and prime minister Sheikh Hasina led a 23-member 14-party delegation while Gano Forum president and eminent jurist Kamal Hossain a 20-member Jatiya Oikya Front team in the talks.
On Tuesday, prime minister and AL president Sheikh Hasina invited B Chowdhury to join the talks at Ganabhaban as he sent a letter to her seeking talks over the next polls.