BNP shares ‘concerns’ over polls with diplomats

BNP on Monday briefed foreign diplomats stationed in Dhaka about the outcome of the two-phase dialogue with the ruling alliance and the party's various concerns about the 11th parliamentary elections, reports UNB.

BNP standing committee member Abdul Moyeen Khan, on behalf of the party, also apprised the diplomats of the party's various observations on the country's latest political situation at a closed-door meeting at BNP chairperson's Gulshan office, said party insiders.

BNP chairperson's adviser Sabihuddin Ahmed said they briefed the foreign envoys about the country's latest political situation.

He said the meeting began around 4pm and continued for an hour.

BNP organising secretary Shama Obaed said diplomats from around 35 countries, including the USA, the UK, EU, UN, Canada, India, Pakistan, China, Japan, France, Germany and Switzerland, joined the briefing.

BNP standing committee members Rafiqul Islam Miah, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy and Nazrul Islam Khan, and chairperson's adviser Sabihuddin Ahmed were, among others, present at the meeting.

Shama said the BNP leaders talked about the country's overall situation, dialogue over the election and other political issues.

Wishing anonymity, a BNP leader who was present at the meeting told UNB they informed the diplomats that though they held talks with the prime minister-led 14-party alliance twice to reach a political consensus aiming to ensure a credible election, the dialogue outcome is almost zero due to the government's 'rigid' stance and non-compromising attitude.

They also told the foreign envoys that their party and alliances have decided to join the election for the sake of democracy, but the government and the election commission are not taking any step for ensuring a level-playing field and holding an acceptable election.

The BNP leaders also talked about the continued arrest of BNP leaders and activists in 'fictitious' cases despite the prime minister's assurance to stop it.

"We also informed the diplomats about the election commission's biased role in announcing the election schedule and rescheduling it," he said.

The BNP leader said they also shared their various concerns about the election.

He said the foreign envoys appreciated BNP for their decision to join the election and hoped that democracy will be consolidated in Bangladesh through a fair election.