Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader today said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is ready to sit for dialogues with other political parties apart from Jatiya Oikyafront and Bikalpadhara Bangladesh, reports Bangla daily Prothom Alo.

“Let’s see who is interested. But time is a crucial matter here. If the election schedule is announced by November 4, 5 and 6, then how will the dialogues take place?” the daily quoted Quader, also the Road Transport and Bridges Minister, as saying.

The minister made the remarks during a briefing at his secretariat today.

In response to a query that BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir expressed doubt over the outcome of dialogues after the High Court enhanced its chief Khaleda Zia’s punishment, Quader said “Awami League did not give this verdict, neither did the prime minister. There is no connection between the dialogues and legal matters. But there is no bar on discussing the matter in the dialogues.”

Responding to the newly formed Jatiya Oikyafront's call, Sheikh Hasina, also Awami League president, yesterday formally invited the alliance to take part in talks with her party at the Gono Bhaban tomorrow.

In another development, Hasina will also hold talks with Bikalpadhara Bangladesh at the Gono Bhaban around 7:30pm on Friday.

The party yesterday sent a letter to Hasina seeking a dialogue with the AL.