Govt to invite BNP again to join dialogue, if necessary: Zillur
Sunday, 13 July 2008
The caretaker government (CG) will again invite BNP, if necessary, to join the ongoing national dialogue and the efforts in this connection is on.
Education Adviser Hossain Zillur Rahman said this while briefing newsmen about the outcome of a dialogue with Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon in the city Saturday, reports UNB.
The education adviser who is now acting as the government's spokesman said they hope the BNP would join the dialogue.
"From the beginning, the caretaker government has been moving ahead with some principles and objectives to involve all the political parties in the dialogue and the process still remains unchanged."
He made the remarks as he was asked about the latest position in connection with BNP's joining the dialogue and the government's efforts to this end.
Replying to a question relating to the second dialogue with the Awami League, the adviser said Awami League had not yet contacted the government as decided by it earlier.
Asked about the allegation of secret selection of candidates for local-body election by the government, Mr Zillur said there was no basis of such allegation as it was not possible these days by anyone to manipulate because people were conscious and the media were strong enough.
About upazila polls and schedules, he said the government would give importance to the expectations of the people. "People want election to local government institutions to have strong local bodies. Political parties are also giving importance to local body elections."
He said it was up to the Election Commission to fix dates for upazila polls.
About reining in the red-hot prices of foods, the education adviser said the government was making efforts to keep the market stable amid economic reality and was alert so that the market could not be manipulated.
He also said the government had taken various steps for giving food and economic support to various special social groups who were vulnerable to the price hike of essential items.
Meanwhile, the Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon at its dialogue urged the government to take steps so that no female can be head of the state or government saying that these posts should be set aside for only men.
It also proposed for introduction of Presidential form of government making arrangements for election of President by direct balloting of the people.
The Islamic party favoured relaxing Emergency Power Rules during elections, but it was not in favour of full lifting of the State of Emergency.
Talking to reporters, Khelafat Andolon Secretary General Mohammad Zafarullah Khan said they were assured during the dialogue that the caretaker government wanted to transfer power to an elected government through holding general elections fairly.
He said people had immense confidence in the caretaker government when it assumed office but now things had changed and its popularity had waned due to the abnormal rise in the prices of essential items.
Had the government been able to keep the prices of essentials at tolerable level people would not have wanted the change of this caretaker government, he added.
About the State of Emergency, he said they thought it should partially prevail during the general elections to check election violence and proposed that army be deployed with magistracy power during the polls.
The Islamic party, led by its Ameer-a-Shariat Moulana Shah Ahmadullah Ashraf, placed a 30-point proposal at the dialogue.
The next dialogue with Krishak Sramik Janata League will be held today (Sunday) while with JAGPA on July 16 and JP on July 17.
Education Adviser Hossain Zillur Rahman said this while briefing newsmen about the outcome of a dialogue with Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon in the city Saturday, reports UNB.
The education adviser who is now acting as the government's spokesman said they hope the BNP would join the dialogue.
"From the beginning, the caretaker government has been moving ahead with some principles and objectives to involve all the political parties in the dialogue and the process still remains unchanged."
He made the remarks as he was asked about the latest position in connection with BNP's joining the dialogue and the government's efforts to this end.
Replying to a question relating to the second dialogue with the Awami League, the adviser said Awami League had not yet contacted the government as decided by it earlier.
Asked about the allegation of secret selection of candidates for local-body election by the government, Mr Zillur said there was no basis of such allegation as it was not possible these days by anyone to manipulate because people were conscious and the media were strong enough.
About upazila polls and schedules, he said the government would give importance to the expectations of the people. "People want election to local government institutions to have strong local bodies. Political parties are also giving importance to local body elections."
He said it was up to the Election Commission to fix dates for upazila polls.
About reining in the red-hot prices of foods, the education adviser said the government was making efforts to keep the market stable amid economic reality and was alert so that the market could not be manipulated.
He also said the government had taken various steps for giving food and economic support to various special social groups who were vulnerable to the price hike of essential items.
Meanwhile, the Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon at its dialogue urged the government to take steps so that no female can be head of the state or government saying that these posts should be set aside for only men.
It also proposed for introduction of Presidential form of government making arrangements for election of President by direct balloting of the people.
The Islamic party favoured relaxing Emergency Power Rules during elections, but it was not in favour of full lifting of the State of Emergency.
Talking to reporters, Khelafat Andolon Secretary General Mohammad Zafarullah Khan said they were assured during the dialogue that the caretaker government wanted to transfer power to an elected government through holding general elections fairly.
He said people had immense confidence in the caretaker government when it assumed office but now things had changed and its popularity had waned due to the abnormal rise in the prices of essential items.
Had the government been able to keep the prices of essentials at tolerable level people would not have wanted the change of this caretaker government, he added.
About the State of Emergency, he said they thought it should partially prevail during the general elections to check election violence and proposed that army be deployed with magistracy power during the polls.
The Islamic party, led by its Ameer-a-Shariat Moulana Shah Ahmadullah Ashraf, placed a 30-point proposal at the dialogue.
The next dialogue with Krishak Sramik Janata League will be held today (Sunday) while with JAGPA on July 16 and JP on July 17.