The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

The caretaker government held dialogue with the Jammat-e- Islami Bangladesh yesterday at the Chief Adviser's Office aimed at resolving some outstanding issues for holding free and fair elections in the country.

The two hours long dialogue started at 3:15 pm and lasted at 5:15 pm.

Both the government and Jammat leaders termed the dialogue as 'fruitful and cordial'. They unanimously agreed that the parliamentary elections must he held on December 18.

Chief Adviser Dr Fakruddin Ahmed led the government side. Five Advisers Major General (Retd) Ghulam Quader, AF Hassan Ariff, Anwarul Iqbal, Iftekhar Ahmed Chowhury and Hossain Zillur Rahman were present in the dialogue.

Maulana Matiur Rahman Nizami, Ameer, led the delegation of Jammat.

Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mujaheed, Secretary General, Moqbul Ahemd, Naeb-e- Ameer, Moulana Delwar Hossain Saidee, Executive Member, Assistant Secretaries Generals Moulana Abdus Sobhan, Mohammad Qamaruzzaman, Abdul Qader Mollah, ATM Azharul Islam, Barrister Abdur Razzak, Moulana Rafiqul Islam Khan, Executive Member and Jasimuddin Sarkar, Executive Council Member were present during the dialogue.

After the meeting, in a joint press conference Commerce and Education Adviser Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman told the media that they had held a very constructive and fruitful dialogue with the Jammat delegation.

" We have discussed different issues and believe that all the outstanding problems could be resolved through discussions," he said adding that both the government and political parties have to play an important role in helping the country for overcoming the democratic transition of power.

Dr Zillur reiterated that the parliament elections will be held on the scheduled date.

" The government has created an atmosphere conducive for elections and we firmly believe that it will be held on scheduled date," he said.

On the issue of lifting of the state of emergency he said the government has placed its logics for the continuation of state of emergency.

" As they (Jammat) placed logics for lifting the state of emergency and we also put the rationalities for relaxing the state of emergency," he said.

He, however, said the Government is gradually relaxing the state of emergency in phases.

" We also discussed with them as how the mass people could exercise their franchise without any fear or intimidation," he added.

Post elections stability, creating culture of politics of tolerance and tendency to accept the results of elections have also discussed in the meeting, he mentioned.

Mentioning the Government's neutrality during the elections the Commerce and Education Adviser said the Government has started reposting officials of the field level administration.

Terming the meeting with the government as 'fruitful' Moulana Nizami said they had held a constructive dialogue with the government.

On the issue of elections he said " There is no alternate of general elections and it is essential to hold all parties participatory parliamentary polls on announced date in the interest of the people and country,".

"Ensuring favourable atmosphere for holding elections, lifting state of emergency, withdrawal of cases against political leaders and activists, fixing a rational date for upazila elections from parliament polls, necessary amendments of the Representation of People Order (RPO), giving scope to agriculture and house loan defaulters to be election candidates, creating level playing field for all political parties in elections, restore the 'National Revolution and Reconciliation Day' on November 7 as government holiday are among the issues that the Jammat leaders have discussed with the government.