BNP yesterday urged the government to engage in talks with the party with an open mind over the next general election.

“There has to be a specific agenda for discussion. BNP has some specific demands for ensuring fair and participatory polls and those can be discussed,” said BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, reports UNB.

Speaking at a press conference at BNP's Nayapaltan central office, he said if the govt does not want to discuss issues (related to election), “we'll understand they are not being transparent”.

He made the remarks while reacting to Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader's reported comment that discussions can be held with BNP if it does not impose any condition.

Rizvi said their party is always ready for a dialogue with the government as it thinks it is necessary for holding an acceptable, fair and inclusive election. “We want the talks to be held with an open mind.”

He said the next general election cannot be held keeping the BNP chairperson in jail. “Khaleda Zia must be freed before the national election.”

Besides, the BNP leader said, parliament will have to be dissolved, a non-party neutral election-time government must be installed and the current Election Commission will have to be reconstituted.

NO CONDITIONAL TALKS: QUADER

Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader yesterday said, “Dialogue can't take place on condition and it should be held spontaneously. But BNP sets condition on all things.”

He said this in reply to reporters' query while visiting construction work of the elevated expressway at Kawla in Dhaka, reports BSS.

Meanwhile, Quader, at a mourning discussion organised by Awami Swechchhasebak League (ASL), said BNP's dream of unseating the government would never come true.

“The government would be changed only through getting the people's verdict,” he said.

Quader alleged that being defeated in the quota movement, they (BNP) depended on the students' movement and subsequently tarnished the country's image as it lodged complaint to the foreign quarters and sought justice from them.

At the discussion, Quader urged the party leaders and workers to go forward by upholding the ideals of the Father of the Nation.

“Those who are leaders [ministers], pay more attention to your work rather than delivering speeches,” he said.

AL Joint-General Secretary Mahbub-Ul-Alam Hanif, ASL President Advocate Molla Mohammad Abu Kawsar, AL Organising Secretary AFM Bahauddin Nasim, MP, and ASL General Secretary Pankaj Debnath, MP, were also present.