Dhaka, May 23 (bdnews24.com) – BNP Vice-Chairman Nazmul Huda, who has been out of the media limelight for most of this spell of the party as the opposition, jumped back on Wednesday by threatening to resign from the party if Chairperson Khaleda Zia does not invite Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina by June 5 for dialogue over the prevailing 'confrontational' situation in the country.
Huda said in a press conference that in the wake of the current 'catastrophic' condition of the country, there is only 'one' way to peace, prosperity and development - consensus between the two party chiefs.
"To that end, I urge very specifically to our leader Khaleda Zia to call Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to sit in a dialogue within June 5," he said declaring to resign from his role as a general member and sever all ties with BNP the day after the deadline if his urge is not met. "Hope our leader will not force me to resign."
Huda also pointed out that the initiative should have been taken by Sheikh Hasina as the head of state. "But she did not. If Khaleda Zia does invite you [prime minister] at my request, please respond."
He also warned that Hasina would have to take responsibility for any instability in the country after June 10, the deadline announced by Khaleda Zia to initiate reinstatement of the caretaker government system.
The BNP chief also warned that she would declare further oust-government agitation from a rally in Dhaka on June 11 if the deadline is not met.
Huda criticised his party's role and said, "My party's policy of protesting in the streets is leading the country to confrontation. The people are disappointed at BNP's action being a patriotic party."
He also listed seven issues the two leaders could talk about in their dialogue - clause-less release of political prisoners, withdrawal of cases filed against BNP leaders after 1/11, outlines of an interim government to ensure fair and free polls, freeing the country of political partisanship, ensuring freedom of judiciary, establishing the rule of law, and use and preservation of natural and human resources only for the betterment of the country.
When asked what he will do if he has to resign, Huda told journalist, "That time will tell. I am not thinking about it now. Even if I resign, I will seek BNP's nomination in the next polls."
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