Start talks to avoid movement: Khaleda

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia has advised the government to initiate dialogue with political parties to discuss a fresh parliamentary election to avoid agitations after Eid-ul-Fitr.

“We want to say unequivocally that we won’t have any alternative to launching a movement unless the government resolves the (political) crisis through discussions.”

Khaleda was speaking at an Iftar organised by Jatiya Party (Kazi Zafar), a component of the BNP-led 20-Party Alliance, at Hotel Westin on Sunday.

BNP, which boycotted the Jan 5 parliamentary polls held under the previous Awami League government, has been demanding a fresh polls held be held under a non-party caretaker administration.

The Awami League is, however, ignoring the demand. The party also questioned BNP’s ability to carry on a movement against the government.

Khaleda said, “We’re talking about agitations for polls, but the government is not paying heed.”

She claimed there was no democracy in the country at present. “Now no discussion is held in parliament, devoid of people’s representation, on solutions to people problems.”

“Songs are sung and poems recited there (in parliament). Parliament has become a club of clowns,” she added.

The BNP chief urged all to unite and join agitations to force the holding of an election with all political parties taking part by unseating the ‘illegitimate government’.

Top leaders of other parties in the alliance also attended the Iftar.

Before the Iftar, Khaleda exchanged pleasantries with them.

Diplomats of various countries including the US, UK, Russia, China, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Morocco and Vietnam also joined the Iftar.