The government led alliance and its opposition, Jatiya Oikyafront have expressed different statements after the second round of dialogue that expose a deep division between two sides.
Leaders of Jatiya Oikyafront held a three-hour dialogue with 14-party alliance leaders, led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, at Ganabhaban on Wednesday in an effort to reach an understanding over the forthcoming national election.
The opposition alliance raised the demand to dissolve the parliament before general election and to hold election 90 days after the dissolution, report bdnews24.com and UNB.
Talking about the demand after the dialogue, Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader said there is no scope for the government to meet the demands that go beyond the constitution.
"This is an excuse to delay the election. A third force may come in to create an undesirable situation like 1/11,” Quader said.
Meanwhile, Jatiya Oikya Front leader Mahmudur Rahman Manna said the second round of dialogue with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yielded no "solution".
Responding to reporters after a three-hour dialogue at the Ganabhaban, he said: “The talks were not good enough to reach a solution.”
Jatiya Oikya Front leaders will discuss the issue with each other and will formally react to the dialogue, said Manna.
After the end of the dialogue, no alliance leaders agreed to comment on the outcome of the talks.
Awami League leader Tofail Ahmed told reporters: "They made some statements which are contradictory and conflicting with the constitution and are not acceptable. We have no objection if they want to sit again on any issue after the announcement of the election schedule.”
Another Awami League leader, Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim, said the two sides remained miles apart on the demands.
“No consensus could be reached. The Oikya Front called for a fresh round of talks. No decision has been made about this,” he added.
The dialogue started around 11:00am and ended around 2:00pm at the Prime Minister’s official residence Ganabhaban.
Other Oikyafront delegation members include BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, its standing committee members Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Moudud Ahmed, JSD president ASM Abur Rob, Nagorik Oikya Convenver Mahmudur Rahman Manna, and Oikya Prokriya leader Sultan Mansur.
Other 14-party team members are AL general secretary and Road Transport Minister Obaidul Quader, Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu, Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed, Health Minister Mohammad Nasim, Social Welfare Minister Rashed Khan Menon, Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu, AL Presidium Member Sheikh Fazlul KarimSelim, Law Minister Anisul Huq, AL joint general secretary Dr Dipu Moni, and AL law affairs secretary SM Rezaul Karim.
Earlier on Thursday last, a 23-member delegation of 14-party, led by Sheikh Hasina, sat in talks at Ganabhaban with Dr Kamal Hossain-led 20-member Oikyafront team.
After the meeting, Oikyafront leaders said they placed their seven-point demand before Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina but did not find any specific solution except some good words about rallies and meetings.
On Sunday, Kamal Hossain, on behalf of the Oikyafront, sent a letter to Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina seeking the second phase of small-group talks with her over the next general election.
In response to the letter, the Prime Minister invited the Oikyafront to hold the second round of talks.
Meanwhile, Dr AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury-led Jukta Front sat in dialogue with the Prime Minister and her 14-party alliance leaders on November 2, while HM Ershad-led Jatiya Party on November 5, leaders of 12 Islamic parties on November 6 and leaders of Left Democratic Alliance on November 6.
Leaders of 14-party alliance also sat with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Awami League leaders on November 4.