No election dialogue with PM, her party: Mirza Fakhrul

The BNP is not interested in attending any election-related dialogue with the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her party, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has said. 

"We will not sit for any dialogue with her [prime minister] because she doesn't keep her promises," the opposition leader said while addressing a programme at the BNP Chairperson's Political Office in the Gulshan area of the capital yesterday. 

Such a comment from the opposition party came after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, at a press conference on 13 march, expressed her disappointment over election talks. "With whom would we hold dialogue? The dialogues in 2018 produced nothing but raised questions about the election," she added.

Referring to the prime minister's speech, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam said, "There is no reason to sit for talks with the prime minister, we believe. Hence, we did not even raise the issue of dialogue."

"The prime minister asks what were the results of the 2018 election dialogues. BNP also has the same question. Once the prime minister publicly promised that her government will not interfere in the elections, the police will not make political arrests, or file cases [against opposition parties]. Just three days later, BNP and opposition party leaders had to flee their homes amid police torture."

"I am the general secretary of the BNP...my car was attacked, the police stood by and watched silently. After these happenings, Sheikh Hasina asked what are the results of democracy. You [Sheikh Hasina] know better what the results are," Mirza Fakhrul added.

Referring to another recent comment of the prime minister, the opposition leader also said Sheikh Hasina says she has no pressure. "It means she has no responsibility towards the country and people. She has no concern for the future of the people.