Govt will be forced to hold dialogue: Moudud

The government will be forced to hold dialogue with political parties ahead of the general election, senior BNP leader Moudud Ahmed said today.

"He (Obaidul Quader) said that there is no need to hold dialogue with BNP. But, I believe you would certainly feel the need of the dialogue. And it is the matter of time only," Moudud said.

The BNP leader came up with the remarks while addressing a programme organised by Adarsha Nagorik Andolon at the National Press Club in Dhaka.

Earlier today, Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader said their party does not feel the necessity to hold any dialogue with BNP over the next general election as the party turned down a similar offer the last time.

Reacting to Quader's comment, Moudud said the ruling party will be forced to change its political stance on the dialogue in the face of a movement and the situation will emerge in the days to come.

Moudud said the government will have to free Khaleda Zia if it truly wants to hold the next general election in free and fair manner.

The current parliament will have to be dissolved before 90 days of the election and military will have to be deployed with magistracy power, Moudud said demanding immediate withdrawal of the cases lodged against his party's rank and file.