The New Nation - Internet Edition

Shahidul Islam

The Chief Adviser's Office yesterday sent letters of invitation to six smaller political parties seeking names of their respective delegations to the formal dialogue with the Government.

Unlike the pre-dialogue sittings that began with a major political party-Awami League-the formal dialogue scheduled to begin from May 22 as per Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed's Monday's announcement, is likely to kick off with smaller political parties.

The letters of invitation were sent to the Workers Party (WP), CPB, JSD (Inu), Bikalpa Dhara Bangladesh (BDB), Shamyobadi Dal and Krishak Sramik Janata League (KSJL), Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Syed Fahim Monayem told The New Nation yesterday evening. More invitations to be dispatched today.

Senior officials of the Chief Adviser's Office (CAO) delivered the identical letters of invitation in person in the evening to WP General Secretary Bimal Biswas, CPB General Secretary Mujahidul Islam Selim, JSD (Inu) General Secretary Syed Zafar Sajjad, BDB Secretary General Maj (retd) Abdul Mannan, Shamybadi Dal General Secretary Dilip Barua and KSJL Acting General Secretary Habibur Rahman Khoka.

When contacted sources close to these political leaders said they have received the invitation letters yesterday evening.

Sources close to the CAO and the political leaders said each of the political party was requested to send names of five to seven leaders, who would take part in the talks with the Government as members of the party delegation.

There is no specific date for the dialogue in the letters that was sent to General Secretaries and Secretaries General of the individual political parties.

The dates of the dialogue with specific political parties will be finalised on the basis of discussion between the Government Advisers and party leaders.

"The letters of the invitation also sought suggestions from the political leaders on the modalities of the dialogue, posing a question as to whether they would sit in a group along with like minded political parties or prefer to sit across the table separately as individual political party," one of those General Secretary, who received the invitation told this Correspondent on condition of anonymity.

When contacted, WP General Secretary Bimal Biswas and CPB General Secretary Mujahidul Islam Selim yesterday night said they would finalise the issue at the meeting of their respective party leadership soon and reply accordingly.

Sounding positive about joining the formal dialogue, both the WP and CPB leaders separately said they would also held bilateral discussion with pro-liberation, democratic and secular political parties with a view to arrive at a consensus on specific issues before the talks with the Government.

Policymakers of the Caretaker Government, who took part in the pre-dialogue sessions, are of the opinion that it would be easier to arrive at consensus on pressing national issues, leading to the formulation of the National Charter if the formal dialogue begins with smaller political parties since those had no pre-condition like release of any political leaders.

Two major political parties of the country-the BNP and the Awami League (AL) pressing for their demands that their respective party chiefs-the two detained former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina-be set free and allowed to join the dialogue with the Government.

Meanwhile, the AL Central Working Committee (ALCWC) yesterday at a meeting reviewing the Chief Adviser's address to the nation, said the dialogue would not be successful unless the AL President Sheikh Hasina was set free before the talks.

Similar view was also expressed by the BNP Secretary General Khandaker Delwar Hossain that the dialogue without the presence of its Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia would not be fruitful since it is she who represents the people and the party.

When asked, Communications Adviser Maj Gen (retd) Ghulam Quader and Commerce and Education Adviser Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman yesterday said the absence of the issue of the release of Begum Zia and Sheikh Hasina in the Chief Adviser's speech would not hamper the holding of the formal dialogue.

Expressing the hope that the ensuing formal dialogue between the Government and the political parties would be a success, Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman, who maintains contacts with political leaders, said, "We are advancing step by step towards holding the dialogue."

Asked if the dialogue would be possible in the backdrop of the political parties expressing their dissatisfaction over the Chief Adviser's speech delivered on Monday, he said, "Different people or groups are likely to pass different comments on the speech."

"But we are moving forward gradually, as and when required, as people in general and the political parties have shown eagerness to interact with us through the process. The Government is also marching forward while fulfilling people's aspirations and we hope we will be successful," he said, adding both the politicians and the Government were able to understand each other's position during the 22-day long pre-dialogue sessions.

"There is no reason for the talks to fail," Dr Hossain Zillur said, "And we are in constant contact with each other."