The New Nation - Internet Edition

Talha Bin Habib

As the date for submission of nomination papers for contesting the forthcoming parliamentary election scheduled on December 18 is approaching the participation in the election by BNP-led four-party alliance is still hanging in the balance since no fresh offer for talks by the government with the alliance was initiated till yesterday.

Till yesterday the four-party alliance did not get any fresh offer from the government for further talks to remove the current stalemate on election issue, insiders of the coalition said.

The Commerce and Education Adviser Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman yesterday said the government would use all possible means to bring all the political parties in the polls.

"The government would take initiatives for convincing the alliance to participate in the elections," he added.

But the grassroots levels activists of BNP are a little bit frustrated since they are yet to get specific decision on their party's stand on the polls issue, according to political analysts.

As a result, frustration has gripped the grassroots level activists of the BNP and its component parties, it added.

The leaders of the four-party alliance said they are ready for election only after fulfilling their seven-point demand by the government. They said the ball is now in the government's court for implementing their demands, which they believe could pave the way for their joining in the elections.

They also said that though the government claimed for creating a level playing field for all political parties but in practice there are anomalies regarding the four-party alliance.

"If the government really wants free and fair elections then they (government) must realise those demands," said a high-up of the alliance.

The four-party alliance in its recent meeting on Wednesday and BNP's grand rally in Chittagong on Friday reiterated fulfilling their seven-point demand by the government as pre-condition for taking part in the election.

BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia on Friday's rally in Chittagong categorically said her party as well as the four-party alliance would join the polls only after the seven-point demand is realised by the government.

Meanwhile, the Commerce and Education Adviser Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman at a function in the city yesterday told journalists that the government would use its all possible means to bring all political parties in the elections.

"If the government and political parties could play their due role then it could greatly help get us in political transition," he added.

BNP Secretary General Khandker Delwar Hossain said the participation in the election of the alliance completely depends on the government and the Election Commission (EC) decision.

"Our demands must be met by the government if it wants to hold free and fair election in the country," he told the media at his NAM flat yesterday.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Ali Ahsan Muhamamd Mojaheed said the Jammat is always in favour of participating in the election.

When asked whether his party sincerely wants to participate in the polls, he replied, " Jamaat never thinks to boycott the polls".

"We could not give them (Awami League) walkover in the elections," he said.

While talking with the New Nation, a high ranking leader of the component parties of the alliance yesterday, on condition of anonymity, said they are expecting that the government would contact the alliance soon to iron out all excuses and misunderstandings for the sake of elections.

"The high-ups of the four party alliance are now in the capital and we are ready to join urgent meeting whenever Chairperson of BNP summons us," he mentioned.