Ehsanul Haque Jasim :
The dialogue issue has again come in the discussion after BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia’s call for a national dialogue to overcome the current crisis prevailing in the country.
The leaders of the two major parties-Awami League (AL) and BNP-started making their points over the issue on Friday. The AL leaders has taken the dialogue call it negatively, while the BNP leaders have warned the government of further crisis if it does not respond to the call.
In response to Khaleda Zia’s call from the UK, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader said, dialogue is not possible as she staying on a foreign land. They (Khaleda Zia and Tarique Rahman) must
create an environment first to hold the dialogue, he added.
Addressing a function at Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) yesterday he took the dialogue call negatively. The minister said, “Qualification and courage are required for leaders who call for dialogue. Have they shown it? Who are they to hold a dialogue?”
He said the path of dialogue has already been closed due to the killing of writers and publishers in the country.
Talking to reporters at a function in Sylhet, Finance Minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith termed Khaleda Zia’s dialogue offer as ‘rubbish’. Expressing dismay at the incidents of nonstop killings and secret attacks, Khaleda Zia on Thursday in a statement called for holding a national dialogue to overcome the situation. She also blamed the government’s stubbornness and authoritarian attitude for the situation. “We hope that you (government) will create an environment for initiating a national dialogue to get rid of the transitional period of the country, shunning authoritarian attitude and not blocking the flourishing of democracy,” she said in the statement.
The BNP chief also said that her party had called for national unity and an all-party meeting to overcome the current situation, as the party always gives priority to the interests of the country and its people. But the government is yet to pay heed to the call, she alleged.
BNP Standing Committee Member Brig Gen (retd) ASM Hannan Shah at a discussion at the National Press Club in the city urged the government to arrange a national dialogue responding to the call of Khaleda Zia to overcome the country’s current crisis. The party Vice-Chairman Shah Moazzem Hossain at a separate discussion in the Press Club said, the government has to sit with Khaleda Zia to save the country. If the government does not want dialogue, it must be held responsible. Khaleda Zia called for dialogue for the sake of the country, he added. Jatiya Gontantrik Party arranged the discussion to mark the ‘National Revolution and Solidarity Day’. President of the party Shafiul Alam Prodhan was also present at the function.
Meanwhile, some of the civil society members said that the government should accept the offer of Khaleda Zia and arrange a national dialogue. They said that sustainable solution of any problem is possible through dialogue.
Dr Badiul Alam Majumder, Secretary of Sushasoner Jonya Nagorik (SHUJON) said a national dialogue is needed in the interest of the country and the nation. The government should hold talks with Khaleda Zia and others to overcome the crisis.
The dialogue issue has again come in the discussion after BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia’s call for a national dialogue to overcome the current crisis prevailing in the country.
The leaders of the two major parties-Awami League (AL) and BNP-started making their points over the issue on Friday. The AL leaders has taken the dialogue call it negatively, while the BNP leaders have warned the government of further crisis if it does not respond to the call.
In response to Khaleda Zia’s call from the UK, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader said, dialogue is not possible as she staying on a foreign land. They (Khaleda Zia and Tarique Rahman) must
create an environment first to hold the dialogue, he added.
Addressing a function at Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) yesterday he took the dialogue call negatively. The minister said, “Qualification and courage are required for leaders who call for dialogue. Have they shown it? Who are they to hold a dialogue?”
He said the path of dialogue has already been closed due to the killing of writers and publishers in the country.
Talking to reporters at a function in Sylhet, Finance Minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith termed Khaleda Zia’s dialogue offer as ‘rubbish’. Expressing dismay at the incidents of nonstop killings and secret attacks, Khaleda Zia on Thursday in a statement called for holding a national dialogue to overcome the situation. She also blamed the government’s stubbornness and authoritarian attitude for the situation. “We hope that you (government) will create an environment for initiating a national dialogue to get rid of the transitional period of the country, shunning authoritarian attitude and not blocking the flourishing of democracy,” she said in the statement.
The BNP chief also said that her party had called for national unity and an all-party meeting to overcome the current situation, as the party always gives priority to the interests of the country and its people. But the government is yet to pay heed to the call, she alleged.
BNP Standing Committee Member Brig Gen (retd) ASM Hannan Shah at a discussion at the National Press Club in the city urged the government to arrange a national dialogue responding to the call of Khaleda Zia to overcome the country’s current crisis. The party Vice-Chairman Shah Moazzem Hossain at a separate discussion in the Press Club said, the government has to sit with Khaleda Zia to save the country. If the government does not want dialogue, it must be held responsible. Khaleda Zia called for dialogue for the sake of the country, he added. Jatiya Gontantrik Party arranged the discussion to mark the ‘National Revolution and Solidarity Day’. President of the party Shafiul Alam Prodhan was also present at the function.
Meanwhile, some of the civil society members said that the government should accept the offer of Khaleda Zia and arrange a national dialogue. They said that sustainable solution of any problem is possible through dialogue.
Dr Badiul Alam Majumder, Secretary of Sushasoner Jonya Nagorik (SHUJON) said a national dialogue is needed in the interest of the country and the nation. The government should hold talks with Khaleda Zia and others to overcome the crisis.
