Jatiya Oikyafront leaders are unwilling to join dinner after holding talks at Ganabhaban, official residence of the prime minister, this (Thursday) evening.
Oikyafront leader and Nagorik Oikya convener Mahmudur Rahman Manna said they want to spend very productive time discussing crucial issues instead of wasting time by joining dinner.
“We’re going to Ganabhaban for discussions to overcome the country’s crisis, not to take dinner. We’ve also informed Awami League not to arrange dinner for us,” he added.
After a meeting with Krishak Sramik Janata League president Kader Siddiqui on Wednesday night, Oikyafront chief Dr Kamal Hossain said they want to use the entire time at Ganabhaban by engaging in meaningful talks for a fair and credible election. “We should use our valuable time only in discussions.”
Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal president ASM Abdur Rob said they are going to Ganabhaban for discussions not to have dinner.
However, an Oikyafront leader, wising anonymity, said BNP leaders declined to join the dinner with the Prime Minister keeping their chairperson Khaleda Zia in jail.
Later, the Oikyafront leaders, including Kamal Hossain decided not to join the dinner showing respect for the sentiment of the BNP leaders.
However, Manna and JSD general secretary Abdul Malek Ratan said they took the decision for the sake of effective talks, not for BNP.
The country’s two major ruling and opposition alliances are set to sit in the much-sought dialogue in a bid to reach a consensus over ahead of the general elections, UNB reported.
Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will lead a 22-member 14-party delegation while Gono Forum President Dr Kamal Hossain, the 16-member Jatiya Oikyafront team in the discussion to be held at 7:00 pm.