Razzaque Urges BNP Not to Avoid President's Dialogue

Agriculture Minister and Awami League Presidium Member Md Abdur Razzaque today urged BNP to join President's dialogue over the formation of Election Commission (EC) saying avoiding dialogue is not the role of a responsible political party.

"President is a neutral person. He started holding dialogue with different political parties for constituting Election Commission. But BNP is saying they won't join the dialogue. I'm telling BNP that avoiding dialogue is not role of a responsible political party," he said, reports BSS.

Razzaque added: "If BNP is a responsible political party and they have liability towards the people, they should join dialogue to give constructive recommendations to the President in constituting the EC."

He said while addressing as the chief guest at a discussion marking the 50 years of Bangladesh's Victory and the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at Grameen Bank Bhaban in Mirpur area here, said a press release.

The minister said the parliamentary elections will be held in Bangladesh following the Constitution as like as that of in different developed nations including Japan, the USA, the UK and India.

Holding polls under caretaker government is not respectful for the country, he mentioned.

He said military dictators, autocrats and autocratic government in guise of democracy stayed in power for long 21 years between 1975 and 1996.

Under the circumstances, elections were held under caretaker government for three times to make democracy steady but now it has no necessity, he mentioned.

Razzaque said now independent and neutral Election Commission can hold fair elections as per the Constitution.

Grameen Bank Chairman Professor AKM Saiful Majid, Managing Director Jahangir Hossain Hawlader and teacher of Computer Science and Engineering Department at Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) Prof Dr M Kaykobad addressed it, among others.