PM to brief media about dialogue on Nov 8 or 9: Quader

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will brief media about the outcomes of the ongoing dialogue with political parties either on November 8 or 9, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader said today.

Quader, also the general secretary of Awami League, said this while briefing reporters about the current political situation at his Secretariat office.

About Jatiya Oikyafront, the minister said two of their demands, out of seven, have already been accepted.

"We'll sit with them again on November 7. If their demands are logical and relevant, those will be solved in a constitutional way. There's no scope of solving anything going beyond the constitution," he said.

After the announcement of the election schedule on November 8, many things will not be there under government jurisdiction, he said adding that the Election Commission will hold the election as per the constitution.

Replying to a question whether there is any pressure on the government to hold dialogue, he said, "There's no pressure. We're holding dialogue breaking all the records of the past so that no fear and doubt remain in public mind about the election," he added.

Responding to a query about the progress of the dialogue, Quader said, "Absolutely, there's huge progress. The positive thing is that the prime minister is holding dialogue. We were against the dialogue. After hearing the prime minister's positive opinion about it, we got surprised first...we'll however do everything following the prime minister's directives."

Responding to another question whether Khaleda Zia will be able to participate in the election from jail, the minister said it is not a matter of the government but of the court.

"The election will be held on the scheduled date. We're ready to contest the election and we'll resist those who'll try to foil it," Quader said.