Bangladesh emergency govt in talks with major party: Official
One of Bangladesh's main sidelined political parties, the Awami League, said Tuesday it had held talks over the the fate of its jailed leader with the country's military-backed government.
By Agencies |
DHAKA: One of Bangladesh's main sidelined political parties, the Awami League, said Tuesday it had held talks over the the fate of its jailed leader with the country's military-backed government.
Sheikh Hasina Wajed, a former prime minister, has been detained since July last year after the emergency government launched a nationwide crackdown on corruption.
The party held "informal" talks with five ministers late Monday as it seeks her release and a concrete date for new elections and the restoration of democracy, Sheikh Hasina's spokesman Hasan Mahmud said.
"We told them that we want constructive engagement with the government. But for any engagement to be fruitful and meaningful, Sheikh Hasina should be released gracefully," Mahmud said.
"We have also told them that there is still uncertainty about the polls. The election commission has deviated from its roadmap. The government should at least announce tentative date or week when the polls would be held," he said.
The Awami League officials said the emergency government had pledged "qualitative change in the country's politics."
A government spokesman refused to comment on the talks. The meeting came after the government said it would hold talks with the political parties as part of its commitment to a "smooth transition" to democracy by the end of 2008.
Bangladesh has been ruled by a military-backed caretaker administration since January 11 last year when President Iajuddin Ahmed imposed emergency rule and cancelled polls following months of political turmoil.
The emergency ended 16 years of democratic but dysfunctional rule, led alternately by Khaleda Zia of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), who has also been detained on graft charges, and her bitter rival Sheikh Hasina.
Both leaders were blamed for governing over an increasingly corrupt system, and the emergency government's attempt to clean up the political landscape has seen scores of politicians arrested.
But both the BNP and the Awami League are now piling on the pressure, demanding the release of their respective leaders.
Late last month the Awami League unveiled a new political programme, its first since the emergency was imposed, and called for immediate elections.
The BNP has also promised to mobilise its supporters to secure Zia's release.
Sheikh Hasina Wajed, a former prime minister, has been detained since July last year after the emergency government launched a nationwide crackdown on corruption.
The party held "informal" talks with five ministers late Monday as it seeks her release and a concrete date for new elections and the restoration of democracy, Sheikh Hasina's spokesman Hasan Mahmud said.
"We told them that we want constructive engagement with the government. But for any engagement to be fruitful and meaningful, Sheikh Hasina should be released gracefully," Mahmud said.
"We have also told them that there is still uncertainty about the polls. The election commission has deviated from its roadmap. The government should at least announce tentative date or week when the polls would be held," he said.
The Awami League officials said the emergency government had pledged "qualitative change in the country's politics."
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A government spokesman refused to comment on the talks. The meeting came after the government said it would hold talks with the political parties as part of its commitment to a "smooth transition" to democracy by the end of 2008.
Bangladesh has been ruled by a military-backed caretaker administration since January 11 last year when President Iajuddin Ahmed imposed emergency rule and cancelled polls following months of political turmoil.
The emergency ended 16 years of democratic but dysfunctional rule, led alternately by Khaleda Zia of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), who has also been detained on graft charges, and her bitter rival Sheikh Hasina.
Both leaders were blamed for governing over an increasingly corrupt system, and the emergency government's attempt to clean up the political landscape has seen scores of politicians arrested.
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But both the BNP and the Awami League are now piling on the pressure, demanding the release of their respective leaders.
Late last month the Awami League unveiled a new political programme, its first since the emergency was imposed, and called for immediate elections.
ADVERTISEMENT
The BNP has also promised to mobilise its supporters to secure Zia's release.
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