All eyes on Ganobhaban
All eyes on Ganobhaban today as Jatiya Oikyafront leaders will hold talks with 14-party leaders, led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, this evening.
Jatiya Oikyafront leaders are now unwilling to join dinner at Ganobhaban after talks with the 14-party leaders.
Talking to UNB, Oikyafront leader and Nagorik Oikya convener Mahmudur Rahman Manna said they want to spend very productive time discussing crucial issues at Ganobhaban instead of wasting time by joining dinner.
"We're going to Ganobhaban 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, UNB reports.
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 Ganobhaban 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 Ganobhaban 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 at Ganobhaban in the evening in a bid to reach a consensus over holding the next general election in a fair and credible manner with the participation of all parties.
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 7pm.
