‘Talks can be on anything’

The Awami League is ready to have talks with the BNP on any issue, says Syed Ashraful Islam.

“The door to discuss anything is open. The nation hoped the two leaders would talk and the crisis would end,” the General Secretary said at Ganabhaban after the leaders of the two major political parties spoke on the phone on Saturday evening.

Asked about the issues of discussion, Ashraf said, “The two leaders will begin the dialogue anytime. They will decide the issues, their introductory talks is most important.”

Ending a day of intense speculation, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia finally spoke on the phone for 37 minutes.

Ashraf said, “Today is very important. This is a historic day for Bangladesh’s politics.”

Awami League President Hasina invited Opposition Leader Khaleda to join her for a dialogue over dinner on Monday at her official residence. She also urged her political rival to withdraw the 60-hour nationwide shutdown starting from Sunday.

Ashraf hoped the Opposition would not need the general strike anymore when “there is a scope for talks”.

But Khaleda snubbed the Prime Minister’s offer and the BNP declared the strike would not be called off and the Opposition would consider a dialogue after the strike ended on Tuesday.

Khaleda at a rally on Friday had threatened the three-day shutdown if the government did not take initiatives to start talks by Saturday.

But the Awami League General Secretary on Saturday evening said Khaleda did not reject the invitation during her conversation with the Prime Minister.

“She [Khaleda] did not reject it. We believe that she will accept the invitation. As far as we know, they did not have a negative conversation. I believe they [Opposition] will accept the invitation and come to Ganabhaban on Oct 28,” said Ashraf.