The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

BNP Standing Committee member Chowdhury Tanvir Ahmed Siddiqui said yesterday that they were maintaining an informal contact with the caretaker administration, as the party waits a second dialogue with the Chief Adviser before Oct 20, the cut-off date for registration of political parties.

Talking to reporters at a park in Gulshan, Siddiqui said he expected that the government would settle all contentious political issues in the next dialogue to clear ways for the BNP to get registered with the Election Commission.

The BNP on Tuesday sat in the first dialogue with Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed at his office and placed a seven-point demand, including withdrawal of the state of emergency ahead of the December 18 polls.

"In our first dialogue, we had been able to make the government understand our points. But the government is still hesitant about some issues," Siddiqui said.

"We hope, good sense will prevail and the government will accept our demands to protect democracy and ensure welfare of the nation in light of reality," he added.

The BNP leader said everything was ready to get the party registered with the Election Commission under the modified electoral law, but the commission has put some unnecessary conditions for the registration.

"We want those unnecessary points to go and we've made our position clear on that. We hope the government will give a decision on the disputed issues in the next dialogue."

Reiterating the party's position on the need for withdrawal of the state of emergency, he said: "I am sure the government will understand that election won't be acceptable at home and abroad if it is held under the state of emergency."

Siddiqui said the BNP is ready to contest the parliamentary election on December 18, but felt the condition is not conducive yet.

"We want a congenial election environment. We are ready to cooperate with the government," he said.