BNP questions president dialogue

BNP questions motive of dialogue

BNP yesterday questioned the motive of the dialogue President Zillur Rahman is holding with the political parties on formation of a new Election Commission.
“The president is a highly respected person. But he does not determine politics. And that is why it's not comprehensible why he is holding the dialogue,” party's acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said at a press briefing at the party's central office at Naya Paltan.
“The president is not supposed to take such initiatives,” he said, adding that the move should have been made by the people who can implement political parties' recommendations on forming the Election Commission.
Zillur Rahman yesterday opened the dialogue amid uncertainty looming over its success. On the first day, he held talks with leaders of Jatiya Party and Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal, two components of the Awami League-led ruling alliance that made Zillur president in 2009.
The main opposition party is yet to decide on joining the talks. The party maintains it will make the decision after getting a formal invitation.
Asked what if they get invited, Fakhrul avoided a direct reply but said, "We didn't say that we won't take part. We didn't get any invitation. The decision will be made at the party standing committee meeting.”
According to the constitution, it is for the prime minister to send names of the potential candidates for the post of the chief election commissioner and two other election commissioners to the president for signing, he said. "And so we don't see any reason behind the talks called by the president.”