BNP will join talks only if invited by CA: Salahuddin

BNP Standing Committee Member Salahuddin Ahmed has said that the party is ready to join talks if the Chief Adviser of the interim government personally invites them. However, he questioned, “Why are we being invited to discussions through another political party?”

He made these remarks on Saturday November 8 afternoon at a discussion organised by Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal at the Institution of Diploma Engineers, Bangladesh (IDEB) auditorium in Kakrail, Dhaka, marking the National Revolution and Solidarity Day.

Salahuddin Ahmed said, “We have supported, and will continue to support, the interim government within a defined boundary. If the Chief Adviser himself calls, we will certainly join discussions. But why are we being invited through another political party? Who are they?”

He further said, “We maintain communication with all political parties—be it NCP or Jamaat-e-Islami. As part of democratic practice, we will continue to engage in discussions. But it is not appropriate to make another party a referee or mediator for dialogue.”

Referring to the interim government, Salahuddin Ahmed said, “You are not an elected government—this must be remembered. You do not have the authority to instruct us to ‘decide within seven days or we will decide’. Such displays of power do not suit an interim government.”

He added, “Do whatever is necessary to hold a fair, neutral, and credible election in a democratic manner, we will support you within that boundary. But attempts to invite us to dialogue through another political party are unacceptable.”

Regarding the National Consensus Commission, Salahuddin said, “We thought the National Consensus Commission would act as a referee, and the interim government would perform its duties neutrally. But now it seems you have become the referee yourselves, scoring goals in the field. Then you say that political parties must decide within seven days, or you will decide that is not right at all.”

He said, “The responsibility of the interim government is to organise a fair, neutral, and acceptable election. We are ready to cooperate toward that goal, but we will not tolerate any biased role.”