Jatiya Oikya Front's demand for dialogue irrational: Quader

Rejecting the Jatiya Oikyafront's demand for holding dialogue ahead of next parliament election, Awami League (AL) general secretary Obaidul Quader said on Monday the next national election will be held as per constitution, reports BSS.

"Demand for holding dialogue before the announcement of schedule for national election is irrational, unrealistic and unnecessary. No such situation has been created that dialogue will have to be held . . . election will be held as per the constitution," said Quader while speaking at a programme in the city.

Roads and Highways Division of Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) organised the programme at Krishibid Institution, Bangladesh in the city, marking the National Road Safety Day.

Secretary of Road Transport and Bridges Ministry Md Nazrul Islam presided over the event while Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan and Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister AKM Shahjahan Kamal, among others, spoke at the programme.

Obaidul Quader said election schedule will be announced in the first week of the next month and Election Commission (EC) has almost finalised it.

There is limited time and there is no real cause for holding dialogue within this limited time, he added.

Meanwhile, Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed reiterated that next national election would be held on time following the country's constitution.

He hoped all political parties would participate in the next election,

"We don't want to conduct election keeping any party aside," said the minister while talking to journalists after a meeting with US Ambassador Marcia Bernicat at his secretariat office.

Tofail said political stability is a must to continue country's development and progress, but BNP in the name of resisting national election in 2014 killed officials, police and mass people through vandalism and arson attacks.

"Now, BNP has realised its misdeed, and I think they (BNP) will not do this again."

Meanwhile, Health and Family Welfare Minister Mohammad Nasim said on Monday the BNP-Jamaat clique has become desperate to foil the next parliamentary election.

He expressed his assertion that no evil force would be able to hamper prevailing peaceful situation in the country.

"Like 2014, they (BNP-Jamaat) again are trying to create unrest across the country ahead of the upcoming general election," he said.

He was speaking as the chief guest at a discussion after inaugurating Intensive Care Unit (ICU), High Dependency Unit (HDU) and Operation Theater at the 250-bed TB hospital in city's Shyamoli area.