“The Prime Minister responded positively to the demands that we placed for a fair election. She also agreed in principle to our most of the demands,” he said.
B Chowdhury, also the president of Bikolpo Dahra Bangladesh, came up with the remarks while speaking at a press conference at his Baridhara residence after the talks between the Prime Minister-led 14-party alliance and his alliance Jukta Front at Ganobhaban.
He said Sheikh Hasina said a level-playing field for all parties will be ensured during the election. "She told us that the Election Commission (EC) will remain under the President, not under the government, after the announcement of the election schedule.”
The BDB chief said the Prime Minister also agreed with them that all the government officials and employees who are directly or indirectly involved with the election will remain under the EC.
He said she also agreed to withdraw the government facilities for ministers and MPs after the announcement of the election schedule.
B Chowdhury, however, said the Prime Minister did not agree to their demand for forming either a national or election-time government. “But she said the election-time government will remain neutral.”
About army deployment in the polls, he said the Prime Minister said army will be there at upazila level as a striking force.
The Jukta Front chief said the Prime Minister assured them that she will talk to the President about their objection to the EVM use in the election.
He said the Prime Minister also said their demand for releasing before the election of those arrested for political reasons is practical.
Earlier, talking to reporters after emerging from Ganobhaban, B Chowdhury said they are happy with the outcome of the dialogue. “We’re very happy as we could clearly say everything we had in mind.”
He also said they think the Prime Minister apparently accepted most of their demands.
Bikolpo Dhara secretary general Abdul Mannan said they had very good discussions.
Replying to a question, he also said they will join the election under the current government.
A day after her discussion with Dr Kamal Hossain-led Jatiya Oikyafront, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina sat in talks with Jukta Front in the evening over the next general election.
Sheikh Hasina led a 14-party delegation at the dialogue while Bikalpa Dhara Bangladesh (BDB) President and Jukta Front Chairman Dr AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury a 21-member team.
The Jukta Front delegation members included BDB secretary general Maj (retd) Abdul Mannan, its presidium members Shamsher Mobin Chowdhury, Golam Sarwar Milon, Abdur Rouf Mannan, Mohammad Yousuf, vice president Mahmuda Chowdhury, former MP HM Golam Reza, BLDP president Nazimuddin Al Azad, its general secretary Delwar Hossain, Bangladesh NAP chairman Jebel Rahman Gani, its secretary general M Golam Mostafa Bhuiyan, National Democratic Party (NDP) chairman Khandaker Golam Mortuza, and Janata Party President Sheikh Asaduzzaman.
On Thursday night, the Awami League-led 14-praty alliance and Jatiya Oikyafront had marathon discussions at Ganobhaban over the next general election.
Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina led a 23-member 14-party delegation while Gono Forum President Dr Kamal Hossain a 20-member Jatiya Oikyafront team in the talks.
On Tuesday, Prime Minister and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina invited B Chowdhury to join the talks at Ganobhaban as he sent a letter to her seeking talks over the next polls.