BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia is advised to call Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Begum Zia was told by few intellectuals of her party to call the PM for taking initiative of a free, fair and participatory election. Begum Zia is thinking about it.

Begum Zia, a number of times, proposed the government for a dialogue regarding the next election. However, a few days ago, in a press conference at Ganabhaban, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina rejected any possibilities of a dialogue with BNP. ‘’I’ve had enough for the dialogue, no more,’’ she said. If Begum Zia calls Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, it will be a sweet revenge of the memory of 2013, BNP leaders said.

In 2013, Prime minister Sheikh Hasina took the initiative for holding discussion with BNP that was reluctant to participate in the 2014 election. Almost all the political parties took part in the discussion with the Prime Minister Hasina except BNP. PM Hasina called Khaleda Zia on 23rd of October for a discussion at Ganabhaban for a discussion.
Khaleda Zia rejected PM`s proposal of the discussion and used inappropriate and dishonorable words to verbally abuse PM Hasina. Later Begum Khaleda Zia was severely criticized in the country and elsewhere to reject the proposal of a dialogue. Even members of BNP were unhappy about Begum Zia’s discourteous behavior towards Sheikh Hasina.

Political observers think, it was Sheikh Hasina’s political prudence to call and invite Khaleda Zia for a dialogue. Even Public Health’s trustee Dr. Zafar Ullah who is a BNP supporter, thinks, ‘’it was this one phone call that gave Sheikh Hasina the opportunity of a unilateral election in 2014.’’

In the last 2 years Begum Zia proposed at least 8 times for a dialogue with the government at different occasions. But the government is unbending at its decision and has clearly let the BNP leaders know that it will hold no dialogue with BNP.

In such circumstance, BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia is proposed to call PM Hasina as a part of a political strategy. Responsible sources of BNP confirmed that Dr. Mazarullah, Dr. Zafar Ullah and a few others proposed Begum Zia to make a call to PM. Even if she was lightly objective of the proposal initially, later she took it as a political scheme.

Upon asked about Khaleda Zia’s call to PM, Awami League’s General Secretary Obaidul Quader said, ‘’Begum Khaleda Zia does not possess the etiquette, decency and courtesy needed to talk to a Prime Minister. She proved it in 2013. Is she going to ask for forgiveness or argue again?’’
Obaidul Quader added, ‘’BNP will desperately participate in the elections. Calling Prime Minister may be the first step in this regard.’’