Quader finds Jukta Front positive about joining national polls

Ruling Bangladesh Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader on Friday night said they found Jukta Front, led by AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury, positive in the talks about joining the next general elections as prime minister Sheikh Hasina has accepted their many demands.

Briefing newsmen about the outcome of dialogue between the 14-party alliance and Jukta (United) Front at Ganabhaban, he further said B Chowdhury did not make any demand for amending the Constitution, reports UNB.

Quader, also road transport and bridges minister, said there were constructive and positive discussions, and 20 out of 21 Jukta Front delegation members spoke there.

"They all made positive statements. We've accepted their many demands. But, they didn't place any demand for amendment to the Constitution."

Asked whether they think the Jukta Front will join the polls under the current system of government, Quader said, "We found them positive about it."

He said they endorsed the Jukta Front's demand for creating a level-playing field and complying with election code of conduct after the announcement of the election schedule.

The ruling party general secretary said B Chowdhury's alliance demanded either dissolving parliament or making it inactive. "As parliament has been prorogued, now it's inactive."

He said they also partly accepted Jukat Front's demand for reducing the power of the government since all powers go to the election commission (EC) after the announcement of the election schedule.

Quader said B Chowdhury's alliance demanded deployment of army with magistracy power during the election. "We've said the army will surely be deployed but of course as striking force."

The minister said the alliance also voiced their opposition against the use of Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) in the election.

"We told them the election commission may use it in a limited scale. We also told them the EC is under the president, not under the government. The prime minister said she would talk about it to the president," he added.

Quader said Jukta Front demanded the release before the election of those who were arrested for political reasons. "The prime minister asked them to present a specific list of political prisoners to me (Quader) and then she'll take steps in this regard after investigation."

A day after her discussion with Kamal Hossain-led Jatiya Oikya Front, prime minister Sheikh Hasina sat in talks with the Jukta Front in the evening over the next general election.

Sheikh Hasina led the 14-party delegation at the dialogue while Bikalpa Dhara Bangladesh (BDB) president and Jukta Front chairman AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury their 21-member team.

The Jukta Front delegation 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 Awami League-led 14-praty alliance and Jatiya Oikya Front had marathon discussions at Ganabhaban, the official residence of the prime minister, over the next general elections.

Awami League president and prime minister Sheikh Hasina led a 23-member 14-party delegation while Gano Forum president Kamal Hossain a 20-member Jatiya Oikya Front team in the talks.

On Tuesday, Sheikh Hasina invited B Chowdhury to join the talks at Ganabhaban as he sent a letter to her seeking talks over the next polls.