Dialogue after tenure ends: President

The government is open to a dialogue with BNP but it will take place only after the present government’s tenure ends, President Abdul Hamid has told UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. Bangladesh’s political situation topped a 50-minute discussion starting 4:00pm (New York time) on Thursday between Hamid and Ban at the UN headquarters, Bangladesh’s permanent envoy to the UN AKA Momen said. Clarifying the government’s position, the President said solving problems through dialogue was necessary to strengthen democratic practices. ‘But how can there be a dialogue if anyone boycotts the elections?’ Momen quoted Hamid as saying. He said the UN Secretary General agreed with the President. Ban Ki-moon said boycotting an election was ‘unacceptable’ in a democracy, as it is the only way to change governments. Hamid told Ban that an all-inclusive election would be held at the end of the current government’s tenure. It would hold talks with any person or party on polls. The UN Secretary general had pushed for a dialogue before the Jan 5 elections between Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, president of the ruling Awami League, and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia but in vain, according to bdnews24.com.