By Anisur Rahman
Dhaka, Oct 29 (PTI) Bangladesh's ruling Awami League in a dramatic move on Monday agreed for unconditional talks with the newly-formed opposition National Unity Front (NUF) which includes the BNP of jailed prime minister Khaleda Zia over the upcoming general elections.
Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader said that the NUF proposal came without any "precondition" and the party responded to the call as "the door of dialogue is open for all".
The NUF (Jatiy Oikya Front), led by Kamal Hossain, emerged earlier this month as a platform comprising BNP and several political groups and civil society figures and floated an 11-point demand that includes ensuring checks and balances in the state power, decentralisation of administration and abolition of a constitutional provision prohibiting them from voting against the party decision.
"We agree to the Unity Front proposal, the Road Transport Minister said at a press conference, a day after receiving the NUF's letter seeking the dialogue.
Quader did not set any possible date for the dialogue but hinted that the talks could take place ahead of the polls, expected to be announced by the election commission in next few weeks.
In his letter to Hasina, Hossain, a former leader of the Awami League, wrote: "In order to take part in a participatory election in a peaceful and cordial atmosphere, the Jatiya Oikya Front feels the need for a meaningful dialogue with Bangladesh Awami League and we are expecting an effective initiative.
Highlighting Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's keenness on participatory elections", Quader said: PM Hasina has not shut the door to talks to anyone, nor does it remain shut.
Quader did not announce any date for the potential talks.
Another report quoting Awami League sources suggested that Prime Minister Hasina herself could lead the ruling party side in the dialogue with Hossain.
The BNP that boycotted the tenth parliamentary election, has been calling for talks since the 2014 polls. But the Awami League said it saw no need for the discussion.
Hasina earlier criticised Hossain for joining hands with killers and criminals in an oblique reference to BNP chief and ex-premier Zia and her fugitive elder son and party's acting chairman Tarique Rahman.
Political analysts said the NUF so far could not take any political shape as it accommodated groups and individuals having contradictory views and ideologies with Hossain being its convenor, a former senior Awam League leader who voluntarily quit the party in early 1990s and subsequently floated his Gano Forum as a socio-political group.
Despite being the main opposition, BNP, apparently exposed to a political wilderness, remained just an ordinary partner of the alliance with its chairperson Zia is serving prison term on graft charges and its acting chief Rahman staying in London to evade justice.
Rahman was sentenced to life imprisonment last month for masterminding a deadly grenade attack on an Awami League rally in 2004 when 24 people were killed and Hasina escaped the assault sustaining wounds.
Hossain, who led a parliamentary group in framing the post independent Bangladesh's Constitution, in his proposal had asked Hasina to take steps towards dialogue referring to Bangladesh's founder and the premier's father Bangabandhu's ideology and values.
Bangabandhu taught us how healthy politics unite a nation and turn it into a force to realise people's legitimate rights...(but) how the unhealthy politics has (now) split the nation and plunged it into a great crisis is known to all of us, the letter read.
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