BNP has not left any way for negotiations, AL tells US pre-election assessment team

Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader has told the US pre-election assessment mission that BNP has not left any scope for negotiations over the next election.

After the meeting with the US pre-election assessment mission, speaking to newsmen, he said, "We have told the US delegation that BNP has not left any path for negotiations and compromises. BNP's demand is not based on the constitution. We will not reach a consensus by violating the constitution."

The US pre-election assessment mission held a meeting with the representatives of ruling Awami League over the upcoming 12th parliament election at a hotel in Banani in the capital on Monday afternoon.

After the meeting, the US delegation didn't brief the newsmen.

Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader disclosed the details of the discussion.

Saying that the US delegation has come to assess the election environment in Bangladesh, he said, "They have held a meeting as they have held with others. This is a 12-member delegation. We have explained our position over the national election. Not only Bangladesh, discussions have been held over the challenges in different countries."

Obaidul Quader said the delegation has been briefed how Awami League wants to hold the next election.

He said the government has brought about 82 reforms in 15 years to strengthen democracy and the election commission. The US delegation has been told that prime minister Sheikh Hasina is committed to holding free, fair and peaceful election.

Awami League leaders at the meeting cited the IRI survey that said seventy per cent of the people are ready to cast votes for Sheikh Hasina.

Obaidul Quader said, "They have wanted to know our mindset, what we want to do, what type of election we want and how we see the future of democracy in Bangladesh."

Saying that the US delegation has not come to make a negotiation between Awami League and BNP, Obaidul Quader said, "We have also said we are committed to holding free, fair, neutral and peaceful elections. We are working towards that goal. Their deliberations were positive. They have not taken any side and and no side was discussed either."

The purpose of the US delegation is not to solve the dispute between Awami League and BNP.

He said, "They want to understand the situation. They are observing the election environment, realities and whether there is fear of clashes."

'BNP's demand not  based on constitution'

Earlier, the US pre-election assessment mission held a meeting with BNP leaders including party secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir at the BNP chairperson's Gulshan office on Monday morning.

BNP leaders said they highlighted the current political situation including their demands--the resignation of the current government and holding the election under a non-party government.

Referring to the discussion regarding the BNP’s one-point demand during the meeting, AL general secretary Obaidul Quader said, “They asked whether there is any way to reach a consensus through compromise and adjustment. We said there should be a space to make any compromise or adjustment. However, the BNP has blocked that space.”

In response to another query, the bridges minister said, “The BNP has brought up dead issues like the caretaker government. They demand the resignation of the government and the prime minister and dissolution of the parliament. How it is possible to reach consensus in face of these demands. The delegation didn’t even mention a word about the demands of the BNP and oppositions.”

He claimed the BNP’s demand as unconstitutional saying, “There is always room for compromise and adjustment in democracy. However, the BNP's demand is unconstitutional. We cannot adjust by compromising our constitution. They want the resignation of the prime minister. I have asked the delegation why would she (prime minister) do that? Has she lost the majority in the parliament? Have millions of people taken to the street for her resignation?”

He said that they also responded to the allegations made by the BNP during the meeting with the US delegation. They provided the delegation with the right information against all the “propaganda” spread by the BNP during their rallies and political programmes.

Obaidul Quader further said, “We don’t want to talk against anybody. However, as the ruling party we have to respond to the rumours and false information circulating in the country.”

Road transport and bridges minister and Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader led the delegation of the ruling party in the meeting. He was accompanied by AL presidium member Lieutenant Colonel (retired) Muhammad Faruk Khan, international affairs secretary Shammi Ahmed, office secretary Biplab Barua, information and research secretary Selim Mahmud and executive committee member Mohammad Ali Arafat.

The delegation has come to verify whether the US government will send election observers or not. The International Republican Institute (IRI) and the National Democratic Institute are conducting this state-funded independent and neutral pre-election assessment mission (PEAM).

Earlier on 21 September, US embassy press attache and spokesperson Bryan Schiller during an event at the American Centre in Dhaka told the newspersons that the PEAM delegates will talk with representatives of the Bangladesh Election Commission, various government agencies, political parties, civil observers, civil society and women’s and youth organisations.

The delegates will also speak with local and international media organisations and representatives of the foreign diplomatic missions in Bangladesh.

At the end of the trip, the delegation will issue a public statement where they will mention if they have any concerns over the election and provide practical recommendations.

After returning to Washington DC, they will share their experience with international stakeholders and policymakers.

The primary goal of the delegates will be to provide independent and impartial information about the preparation and the context for the national election in Bangladesh. It will also give its opinion on whether a limited international election observation mission should be sent on election day.

Earlier, in July, the pre-election observation team of the European Union (EU) visited the country to review the political situation of the country ahead of the upcoming election.

The EU has decided not to send any election observer based on the recommendations of the EU delegation.