BSS-28 14-party-Jukta Front dialogue constructive, positive: Quader

570

ZCZC

BSS-28

PM-DIALOGUE-JUKTA FRONT

14-party-Jukta Front dialogue constructive, positive: Quader

DHAKA, Nov 2, 2018 (BSS) – Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader described today’s dialogue between the Awami League-led 14-party alliance and Dr AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury-led Jukta Front as “constructive and positive”, saying that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina accepted many of the demands of the Jukta Front.

“A constructive and positive discussion was held between the two alliances where Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina listened to the words of the Jukta Front leaders very patiently,” Quader said while briefing reporters after the talks at Ganabhaban tonight.

The AL general secretary said the two sides recognised Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as an undisputed leader of the Liberation War. “They spoke on the issue at the same tone,” he said.

While talking about the Jukta Front’s one of the demands of creation of a level playing field for all and dissolving parliament or making it ineffective before the elections, the prime minister said after the announcement of the polls schedule the ministers and lawmakers will not get any privilege.

“Parliament will not be dissolved, but it will remain ineffective after the declaration of the schedule,” Quader quoted the premier as saying.

Sheikh Hasina assured the Jukta Front leaders that the proceeding of the ruling party candidates will be same.

The prime minister said the ECNEC will not approve any project after the declaration of the election schedule.

On the Jukta Front’s demand for making limited the government activities before the elections, Sheikh Hasina said the government activities have already been limited.

About the deployment of army, the prime minister told the Jukta Front leaders that the country witnessed many games in the past centering the army deployment.

“We don’t want to make army controversial again … the army will act as a striking force and work at the advice of local administration during the polls,” the AL general secretary quoted the prime minister as saying.

On the use of electronic voting machine, Sheikh Hasina said the law regarding the use of EVM in the elections was not passed by parliament, but the president promulgated an ordinance in this connection.

“I will raise your concern about the EVM before the president,” she said.

The prime minister told the Jukta Front leaders to provide a list of their political prisoners to him, Quader said.

About the possibility of participation of the Jukta Front’s in the next election, the AL general secretary said: “It seemed to me from their talks that they are positive about it and we hope they will come to the election.”

Replying to a question about the amendment to constitution, Quader said the Jukta Front leaders did not make any major demand on this issue.

MORE/AKH/SH/MMA/0040hrs