Mind your own business, AL tells businesses, Barrister Huq

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The Awami League (AL) has asked the business leaders and a top lawyer to mind their own business and not meddle with politics, reports bdnews24.com.
"We haven't yet received any message from the interim government about the proposed dialogue that might be held between Sheikh Hasina and Khaleda Zia," Acting Awami League General Secretary Syed Ashraful Islam said Thursday.
He briefed reporters after his meeting with Deputy British High Commissioner Duncan Norman at his NAM flat residence.
"The Awami League will consider the two-leader dialogue only after the government invites us officially to such a meeting.
"But interestingly, a lawyer and business people seem to be overly intrigued by the possibilities of the summit. I'd advise them to pursue their own professions and not bother the politicians."
"The government may try such 'special effects' behind the scenes, after doing adequate ground work," he said.
Barrister Rafiqul Huq, who defends both Hasina and Khaleda in court, has been trying to seat the former prime ministers together to discuss national issues, and has said he spoke to both leaders.
Following suit, Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) President Annisul Huq recently said they are also trying to get the two archrivals to sit across the table.
Following Ashraful's comment, Barrister Rafiqul Huq has launched an incandescent attack on the acting Awami League general secretary for his advice not to meddle with politics.
'If Ashraful has spoken taking aim at me, he's made a mistake. If he gave this statement aiming at me it is very sad,' Barrister Huq said Thursday.
Barrister Huq said, 'I don't know Ashraful. He also does not know me. I have never spoken to him in my life.'
'I've talked with Sheikh Hasina. After talking with Sheikh Hasina I've spoken of the talks between the two leaders across the table.'
'I am a briefless barrister! That is why I am trying to talk politics, trying to meddle with politics!'
'There is no relation between my proposal to bring the two leaders across the table and politics. I spoke the people's mind.'
Continued Huq, 'If the lawyers should not do politics a third of the seats in the Jatiya Sangsad would fall vacant. At least one hundred members of our 300-seat parliament are lawyers.'
'Not only in Bangladesh, in the UK, the USA, India, Pakistan, Malaysia and in many other civilised countries of the world a big number of parliament members are lawyers.'
However, Ashraful also said on the day that he had information that Hasina might be attacked again during the ensuing election campaign. He, however, did not disclose the source of his information.
He feared professional terrorists and political militants might turn out to be more and more active, and launch violent attacks on the people.
"We're worried about our chief's security. We'd like the government to ensure her safety through Special Security Force."
Norman later said to reporters: "I came to meet the Awami League acting general secretary to convey three messages. One, the two major political parties must participate in the elections, two, violence and excesses must be shunned, and three, democratic institutions have to be strengthened."
"The national parliament and the Election Commission have to be made more effective. I'll convey the same message to the BNP."
He said, "Bangladesh has its share of blood-stained political past, which is not good for its people and the land."
Asked if a level playing field has been created for the polls, he said: "We think people must have the opportunity to choose their leaders and governors."
Briefing reporters on the discussion, Ashraful said, "We all want the polls to be held peacefully, but even the British diplomats here are apprehensive about atrocities and militant attacks that might affect us." He quoted the diplomat as saying that they are worried about the safety of people during the election period.
Asked to comment on the government opposing Hasina's bail petitions Wednesday, he said, "The government should understand that the court is not the place for sorting out political differences."
On the reports that Hasina passing on directives in writing to the AL policymakers, he said, "I've received no such letter, nor have I heard anyone or our offices receiving any such thing."