|
BNP secretary general Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan Monday wrote to his Awami League counterpart Abdul Jalil asking formally to constitute a committee for discussing the opposition-proposed reforms to work out means of free and credible elections, reports UNB.
He sent the letter to Motijheel Head Office of Mercantile Bank of which Jalil is the Chairman. BNP Office Secretary Mafiqul Hassan Tripti carried the letter and delivered to Jalil at 6:30 pm.
The ruling-party leader sent the letter as opposition Awami League (AL) leadership has demanded of the government to demonstrate its sincerity about discussion on the reform proposals. Their proposals include redefining the appointment procedure of caretaker government, power and function of the President and the caretaker chief during the interim period and recasting the Election Commission.
In his letter Mannan Bhuiyan, also LGRD Minister, appealed to the AL leaders that they should come forward with an open mind in greater interest of the country as well as the nation to consolidate the democracy.
"We, through this letter, formally invite you to send the names of the representatives from your side to be included in the proposed committee. As soon as response comes from your side in this regard, the formation of the committee will be expedited," he said.
Referring to the policy and tradition of BNP, Bhuiyan noted that it is their part to welcome any constructive proposal through discussion.
On February 28, Prime Minister Khaleda Zia proposed the formation of a bipartisan committee with members from BNP and AL to discuss the proposals and hammer out solutions.
Chief Whip Khandaker Delwar Hossain on March 14 made phone calls to deputy opposition leader Abdul Hamid and opposition chief whip vice-principal Abdus Shaheed to sit for discussion, but the opposition side pressed for a formal letter.
On March 16, before her departure of the USA, Opposition leader Sheikh Hasina told reporters that the ruling party should first accept the reform proposals in principle and then sit for discussion.
She said the discussion would decide how far the proposals could be implemented before the next polls.
|