DHAKA: BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia on Wednesday urged the Awami League government to arrive at a consensus through talks to break the political deadlock which has brought Bangladesh to the brink.
 
"Dialogue is the only way to resolve the prevailing political stalemate. We were never against talks. We are still interested in holding elections under non-partisan government after talks,” she said.  
 
The BNP chief voiced her ideas at a press conference in a city hotel - her first interaction with the media after the elections marred by boycott and violence.
 
Criticizing the Awami League government, she said corruption, misdeeds and repression of opposition men were its hallmark.
 
She charged Awami League cadres with mounting attacks on minorities across the country to defame the BNP. “The government is deliberately blaming the BNP and it allies for the attacks. It is just a technique to divert attention from the farcical elections which are being ridiculed at home and abroad,” said the BNP supremo.
 
Khaleda Zia then strongly condemned attacks on minorities and pledged BNP`s support for safeguarding the rights of minorities come what may.
 
The BNP chief said the people had not accepted the outcome of the unilateral polls and the government must quit as soon as possible.
 
In response to a query over alliance with Jamaat, Khaleda evasively said that BNP wants to work with all sections of the population.
 
The former premier assured the countrymen that if she assumes power in the next elections, the country will see witness unprecdented development and progress on all fronts.
 
In response to another question, Khaleda Zia said that the 18-party alliance will continue to oppose the government until its demands are met.

BDST: 2155 HRS, JAN 15, 2014
Edited by: M. Mahbub Alam, Asst Output Editor