UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is trying to get a dialogue started between Bangladesh’s two leading political coalitions, offering a ray of hope in the rundown to the parliament elections.
Published : 24 Aug 2013, 01:34 AM
Amidst the continuing stand-off between the Awami League and BNP, Ban Ki-Moon spoke to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and opposition leader Khaleda Zia over telephone on Friday.
Hasina told the UN chief that she plans to hold the polls in accordance with the Constitution, under government supervision, but she hinted welcoming the opposition if it came up with a proposal for discussion in Parliament.
Khaleda, on the other hand, said she was ready for a dialogue to overcome the crisis but made it clear the opposition would not go to polls supervised by the Awami League-led government.
Ban called the Prime Minister at around 11am and spoke to the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament after a break of some eight hours.
The upcoming parliamentary elections, Bangladesh’s current political and economic condition dominated the conversations.
Hasina told the UN chief that she was interested in working out solutions for any problems through talks. This was why she had offered dialogues to her arch political rival, the Prime Minister said.
The Awami League President informed the Korean diplomat about the opposition’s adjournment motions in Parliament over dialogues.
She explained the Supreme Court verdict scrapping the caretaker administration system. She said the opposition did not come forward when asked to join the special committee formed to make the 15th constitutional amendment.
Hours after the phone conversation, the BNP refused to it concede ground, vowing to continue with its demonstrations to press for a caretaker government to oversee the polls.
Minutes later, party chief Khaleda assured Ban Ki-moon that they had no objection to talks.
She said there was no alternative to dialogues to resolve the crisis in Bangladesh and added her party was ready for any sort of discussion.
Ban had earlier taken an initiative to mediate talks to ensure a free and fair election with participation of all parties but it did not go far. He expressed concerns as the initiative fell flat.
The 18-Party alliance, led by the BNP, has been waging street protests demanding restoration of the caretaker provision claiming polls under the ruling government will not be ‘free and fair’.
As per the amendment, the crucial election will be held under the Awami League-led government.
The ruling party backs the amendment saying giving any unelected persons political powers goes against the spirit of the court verdict.
Various quarters like the European Union, US, and the UK have advocated compromise and dialogues amid the standoff.