No scope for talks with BNP on polls: Quader

Secretariat Correspondent: Awami League (AL) general secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader said there is no scope for talks with BNP on polls. Even, now there is no possibility of talks with them.

He said, “Though I said about a dialogue as per their (BNP) demands to resolve the political crisis, now there is no scope and possibility for talks. But I believe it is good to maintain communication with all political parties as it helps to melt solid ice.”

The Minister came up with the observation in a press briefing at the conference room of the ministry in the Secretariat on Sunday noon.

In reply to a query, Quader said, “I do not agree to make phone call with any condition. He (Mirza Fakhrul) will call me if I phoned him. This is conditional. It cannot be a political language.”

“It is not that we did never talk. I talked Mirza Fakhrul in Sayedpur when he was in the neighbouring room. I asked him how he was? I also phoned him after his mother’s demise. But he never makes phone call to me. Of course I know, something is wrong with him. But the condition is not expected that he will call me if I phone him,” he added.

In reply to another question, AL general secretary said, “The city elections will be held in free and fair manners. But If BNP defeats in the polls, these will be questioned. I do not know when they will come out from the culture. The harder ice will also melt if they have positive thoughts.”

risingbd/Dhaka/July 29, 2018/Asad/A K Azad