AL rules out talks with BNP before 2019

Ruling out any possibility of holding dialogue with Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) before 2019, Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed said on Friday the next general election will be held under the Awami League (AL) government.

The minister made the remark while speaking as the chief guest at a function held on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of Chemistry Department of Jahangirnagar University and reunion of the alumni association of the department.

Terming the comments of Khaleda Zia that she made in her recent press conference fake, Tofail said she did not even try to attend Gazipur rally.

"People rejected the country-wide shutdown that she called recently, and sensing that she announced the seven-point demand to keep her prestige," he added.

About dialogue, the senior AL leader said, "We always called her to sit for dialogue but she didn't respond."

Referring to BNP's demand for early election he said the election will be held after 2019 and dialogue may be held at that time.

Presided over by Chairman of Chemistry Department Elias Mollah the function was also addressed by former VC and also PSC member Prof Sharif Enamul Kabir and Vice Chancellor of JU Prof Farzana Islam as special guests.

Among others, lawmaker of Dhaka-19 Dr Enamur Rahaman and Prof Abul Hossain also spoke at the function.

Earlier, the students and teachers of the department brought ought a colourful procession that started from the department and terminated at the Central Shaheed Minar on the campus.

BSS adds: Awami League (AL) Advisory Committee Member Suranjit Sengupta said Friday that no talks would be held over polls before 2018.

"No talks will be held on your (BNP chief Khaleda Zia's) proposals in 2015.  Your proposals could be discussed towards the end of 2018," he said speaking as the chief guest at a discussion on current political situation in the city.

Bangabandhu Academy organised the discussion at the Institution of Diploma Engineers at Kakrail.

Presided over by Bangabandhu Academy Sajjad Hossain, the meeting was also addressed by Dhaka City AL Joint General Secretary Hazi M Selim, MP, freedom fighter Abdul Hai Kanu and Bangabandhu Academy Secretary General Humayun Kabir Mizi.

Mr Sengupta said Khaleda Zia held a press conference all of a sudden and placed a number of proposals, including amendment to electoral laws, non-party government and holding talks.

"But no discussion will be held over these at the moment. You (Khaleda Zia) will have to wait," he added.

The AL leader said the BNP chief would have to wait for four years and it is not a very long time.

"We consider January 5 as democracy protection day. A rally will be held on January 5," he said and added that the foreigners have accepted the January 5 polls.