Awami League to consider dialogue if BNP retracts conditions: Quader

The Awami League will consider engaging in a dialogue with the BNP if the opposition group withdraws all of its conditions ahead of the upcoming national election, according to the ruling party's General Secretary Obaidul Quader.

"We have no interest in holding a dialogue with conditions imposed on us," he told reporters on Sunday.

The road transport and bridges minister also expressed agreement with the US pre-election monitoring panel's call for meaningful dialogue between political parties to ensure free and fair elections.

A six-strong delegation from the International Republican Institute and National Democratic Institute recently visited Bangladesh, meeting with various stakeholders to assess the political atmosphere before the election.

They later put forth several recommendations to ensure credible and participatory elections, including 'substantive dialogue' on key election issues.

Quader said that the government's meeting with the US delegation centred on the importance of a free and fair election, but there was no specific discussion about holding dialogues.

He added that the BNP's conditions, which include the prime minister's resignation and the dissolution of the parliament for a caretaker government, were not acceptable terms for dialogue.

"The president wanted to have a dialogue with them, but the BNP rejected it. They also rejected the Election Commision’s proposal to hold discussions with them on two occasions.”

DECISION ON ELECTION-TIME GOVERNMENT AFTER POLL SCHEDULE

Quader said the Sheikh Hasina administration will decide on the issue of an election-time government after the schedule for the upcoming national polls is announced.

However, he did not provide specifics regarding the government's size.

The government during the election will be led by Hasina, who will decide whether the cabinet needs any adjustment, according to him.

Asked when discussions about the government during the election period would start, Quader said, "It will begin when the schedule is announced."

Hasina had previously reduced the cabinet and established an election-time government during the 11th national polls.

Quader acknowledged that the Election Commission would gain significant authority after the announcement of the poll schedule and noted that major government projects would not be initiated during that time. The government will instead focus on routine tasks, according to the road transport and bridges minister.

"Everything related to the election will be conducted by the Election Commission and we are bound by the constitution to comply with their demands during the election.”