Govt must sit for talks with BNP, Khaleda thunders

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia has warned that the government will be forced to sit for talks with her party over an interim election.

Addressing a rally in Jamalpur on Saturday, Khaleda, who heads the 20-Party Alliance, claimed the Awami League-led government was afraid of the BNP.

The BNP-led alliance, which boycotted the Jan 5 polls, has been calling for a dialogue over holding an interim poll but Sheikh Hasina's government has been shooting down the calls.

Khaleda threatened to announce 'new programmes' after the next Eid-ul-Azha if her call is rejected this time.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Friday dismissed chances of a dialogue and a mid-term election.

"Why would we need [an interim election]?... why a dialogue is needed?" Hasina wondered.

Replying to her, Khaleda said: "You (Hasina) must organise an election under a non-party government as a free and fair election is impossible under the Awami League."

Khaleda's party stayed away from the 10th national polls demanding a non-party neutral body's supervision. The Awami League had scrapped the Constitutional provision through the 15th Amendment.

"No tactics would work. You must sit for talks with the BNP," she thundered.

She claimed the government was trying to 'break up' the BNP-led alliance as it was 'afraid' of it.

The participants in the rally replied "yes" to Khaleda's question whether they agreed to a mass movement after the Eid.

"God willing, we'll launch a movement after the Eid. [I will] announce programmes after returning to Dhaka," she said as the crowd applauded in support.

Khaleda had made similar announcement before the Eid-ul-Fitr.

"We'll oust this illegal Sheikh Hasina government and establish democracy and good governance," the BNP chief said.

Addressing the rally -- her fourth since the election -- she claimed the law and order situation had "deteriorated much" under the Awami League.

Khaleda alleged elite police unit RAB was being used for "political purposes" and renewed her demand for abolishing the force.

"The Awami League is a party of terrorists and muggers," she claimed.