‘Back-channel line with BNP open’

The government is keeping up back-channel contacts with the BNP to get it on board the all-party, poll-time cabinet, Communications Minister Obaidul Quader has said.

The minister and Awami League presidium member hoped an understanding would be reached with the Opposition over the contentious issue of poll-time government.

“There is a chance of the BNP joining the all-party government. We are in touch with them in the background.”

He said the door would remain open for the BNP to join the all-party cabinet anytime before the announcement of the election schedule.

Visiting US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Nisha Desai Biswal met on Sunday leaders from parties including the Awami League, BNP, Jatiya Party and Jamaat-e-Islami.

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Quader was in the Awami League delegation.

He believes the Opposition would finally come round to taking part in the election, though it may shun an all-party government.

“Election is like a game of musical chair. It is hard to say how that game will play out,” he said, hinting that politics was often full of surprises.

The BNP has been campaigning, at times violently, to press for a non-party government to conduct polls. The party has also announced its decision to boycott the election if their demands were not met.

The ruling Awami League is, however, unwaveringly moving towards forming an all-party government to supervise the polls.

Quader hoped the political impasse would end soon.