Obaidul Quader rules out talks with BNP

Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader yesterday ruled out any possibility of a dialogue with BNP saying it does not have the qualification to sit with the Awami League government.  

"Qualification is needed to sit for dialogue in the current world. Without qualification, no dialogue takes place," he told a reception Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) organised at its premises honouring 22 journalists who are also writers.

A day before, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia in London urged the government to initiate a national dialogue "for the sake of the nation".

Indicating those trying to destablise the country's law and order situation, Quader said anyone thinking that they would be able to make Bangladesh a failed state like Afghanistan or Pakistan were living with fools.

"Those who will make such evil attempts will fail," he said, adding that Bangladesh was liberated by sacrificing blood and was a nation of the victorious.

Quader blamed BNP for destroying the congenial environment for dialogue and national unity. "They (BNP) are attacking writers, publishers, foreigners and police and targeting politicians and writers. Is this an environment for dialogue?" he asked.

He said there would be a change in the government only through an election or a movement. "Those who have no power to resort to movements repeatedly speak for dialogue and change in government," he said.

Tajul Islam, chairman of the parliamentary standing committee of the power ministry, DRU General Secretary Elias Hossain, Vice-President Rafiqul Islam Azad and Shahnaz Sharmin also spoke at the programme, chaired by DRU President Sakhawat Hossain Badsha.