Hasina to hold press conference after dialogue with parties

Prime Minister and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina will discuss the outcome of dialogues with other political parties ahead of the upcoming Eleventh National Parliamentary Election at a press conference after the talks.

Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader made the announcement to the media at the Secretariat on Monday.

“A press conference will be held after the talks,” said Quader. “Probably on Nov 8 or Nov 9. The outcome of the dialogue with these parties and the results … will be discussed by our leader herself at the press conference.”

The first dialogue between the Awami League government and the Jatiya Oikya Front took place on Nov 1.
 
A 20-member delegation led by Kamal Hossain attended the talks. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir placed the demands on behalf of the Oikya Front, including the release of Khaleda Zia, election under a neutral government dissolving the parliament and reforms to the Election Commission. 
 
That night, Kamal Hossain said at a press conference that no solution had been reached.
 
Mirza Fakhrul, the leader of the largest party in the alliance, said they were not satisfied with the talks.
 
Kamal Hossain then wrote to the prime minister again to request further talks. 
 
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina agreed to sit with Oikya Front again on Wednesday.
 
“Considering everything, we are holding talks with the Oikya Front on a limited scale,” Quader had announced at a press conference on Sunday.
 
“Some of the Oikya Front’s demands have been accepted. Ministers will not make use of their current posts while campaigning in their constituencies and will not use the flag. The Election Commission will handle the security.”
 
“Other demands have been accepted partially, such as the announcement of the schedule on Nov 8.”
 
The Jukto Front has called on the government to ignore the constitution, Quader said.
 
“We have said that parliament will remain passive. They should come to the talks. If their proposals are logical, acceptable and within the bounds of the constitution, we can consider the appropriate changes.”
 
He dismissed questions about the possible release of BNP chief Khaleda Zia from prison custody, saying the matter was a judicial one and not one for the government to tackle.
 
The Election Commission says it will announce the schedule on Thursday.
 
The Oikya Front’s demands include the release of jailed BNP chief Khaleda Zia, election under a nonpartisan government dissolving parliament, deployment of the army during the polls and reforms to the EC.