The BNP-led 18-party alliance is set to enforce the 60-hour non-stop countrywide hartal from today dawn to mount pressure on the government to realise the key demand for a non-party poll-time government to oversee the next general elections. BNP Chairperson and Leader of the Opposition Begum Khaleda Zia from the much- talked about October 25 grand rally announced the hartal, giving the government time until yesterday (Saturday) to initiate dialogue over the issue. According to her announcement, the hartal will end on Tuesday dusk.
Terming the government as 'illegal', she at that rally warned the Opposition would go for tougher programme if the demand goes unheeded. She also invited all to join the 18-party's next street movement. "From October 27, the present government will be illegal. If the negotiation is not held within the time, the government will be responsible for all the consequences," she had said.
In this backdrop, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday evening phoned Khaleda Zia and invited her at a dinner at Gono Bhaban, the official residence of the PM, on Monday to discuss the poll-time government issue. The PM in the telephonic conversation also requested her counterpart to withdraw the hartal.
The BNP, however, did not withdraw the hartal, saying that they would take decision in this regard after holding dialogue. If the issue of the poll-time government is resolved through holding discussions, then the Opposition will think positively about not enforcing hartal, said a source at BNP Chairperson's office.
At an urgent press briefing at BNP Chairperson's Gulshan office after the telephonic conversation, she said the shutdown can't be called off. Briefing about the conversation, she said that the talks with the ruling party could take place after the strike ends on Tuesday.
In reply to PM's request of withdrawing hartal, Khaleda Zia told her counterpart that as the 18-party has called the shutdown, so the BNP can't take any unilateral decision in this regard without discussing it in the forum of 18-party, Sohel said, quoting the BNP Chief.
Ahead of the hartal, the BNP and alliance partners on Saturday brought out a processions in the city and other parts of the country in support of the hartal. In different parts, leaders and workers of the Opposition alliance engaged in clashes with police and the ruling party men. They also torched and vandalised vehicles.