DHAKA: Awami League general secretary and Road Transport and Bridges minister Obaidul Quader has ruled out the possibility of a dialogue between Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia.

After paying tribute to Bangabandhu’s portrait in Dhanmondi on the National Mourning Day (Aug 15), Quader told reporters that BNP has obliterated the environment for a dialogue. 

“Many in the country including civil society and intellectuals have raised the question- why don’t the two leaders sit in for dialogue? I say-is there any environment or atmosphere left for that to happen?”

Mentioning the issue of Khaleda’s birthday celebration on Aug 15, Quader said, “Every single person of the country knows that the day when Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the greatest Bengali of all time, was murdered at his own home along with his family members, is the not the day Khaleda was born.”

“She used to celebrate her birthday at a different date. All of her documents including school certificates and marriage registration show that the birthday is not on Aug 15. Then how come she is celebrating it on the National Mourning Day?”

“The fact that BNP chief Khaleda Zia is celebrating her fake birthday on Aug 15, left no option for Awami league to sit in for a dialogue.”

Mentioning more reasons for ruling out dialogue, he said, “After Khaleda zia's son Arafat Rahman Koko died, the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina went by Khalea’s home to convey her condolences. They shut the door in her face. Was that democratic mentality? ...They are the one destroying the environment.”

BDST: 1810 HRS, AUG 15, 2017
AP