Manna warns of military takeover if no dialogue takes place

Nagarik Oikya's convener Mahmudur Rahman Manna has urged the government for talks with the BNP to end the current political crisis or else, he warned, a ‘2007-like situation’ will recur.

He made the call at a views-exchange meeting with journalists at Nagarik Oikya office in Dhaka’s Topkhana on Friday.

Taking a dig at the government’s stance over political dialogue, Manna said, “There is no alternative to dialogue (to end the political crisis). If anyone wants to avert it, it will lead to an unconstitutional process.”

Ruling Awami League leaders consider their former colleague Manna was one of the ‘players’ who supported the army-installed caretaker government, which ruled Bangladesh from 2007 to 2008.

Formation of Fakhruddin Ahmed-led government on Jan 11, 2007 is widely called 1/11.

The government launched an anti-corruption purge in which current Prime Minister and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia were detained.

Manna said, “They (Awami League leaders) are saying we are the players of 1/11. But through this (not sitting for dialogues), they are paving the way for another 1/11.”

Manna is among a section of civil society members who are demanding dialogues among the political parties to end the present crisis.

He, however, was not present at the press conference addressed by former chief election commissioner ATM Shamsul Huda-led ‘concerned citizens’, who are also pressing for dialogues among political parties.

Manna announced that his organisation would stage a sit-in in front of Shikha Chirantan in Dhaka from 3pm to 5pm on Saturday to press for its demand.

He said, “The latest situation in the country is worrisome. Blockade is still going on and on top of it shutdowns are being called. Death toll (in political violence) has neared 100.”

Manna is expecting Gana Forum President Dr Kamal Hossain, JSD leader ASM Abdur Rob, CPB President Mujahidul Islam Selim, Bangladesher Samajtantrik Dal General Secretary Khalequzzaman, former DUCSU vice-president Sultan Muhammad Mansur and Bikalpadhara Bangladesh Secretary General Abdul Manna in the Saturday sit-in.

Over 60 people died, mostly in arson attacks on vehicles, during the non-stop transport blockade that the BNP-led 20-Party alliance has been enforcing since Jan 5.

The government had to defer SSC examinations of several subjects due to shutdowns and blockade.