Bhuiyan urges opposition to withdraw hartal

The people do not support hartal and they have become fed up with the consequences of such destructive activities, he said.

"Time is running out very quickly. So, come to negotiation table suspending all subversive activities if you have any reform proposal," he told the opposition combine.

The BNP leader made the call while briefing newsman at his official residence last night.

He said that the opposition parties are wasting time on various pretexts although they know very well that any reforms must be implemented during the tenure of this government as the caretaker government will not have any power or scope to bring any changes to the voter list or electoral system.

Bhuiyan alleged that the opposition Awami League enforced the Dhaka siege programme ignoring a high court verdict. "What they (AL) did even after a high court verdict has no example in the history."

Only Awami League can do it as it had brought out a procession carrying sticks against the judges when it was in power, Bhuiyan explained.

They (AL) also attacked the person who submitted the writ petition asking the legality of Dhaka siege programme, he added.

"The petitioner acted on his own initiative and we even do not know him," the ruling party leader pointed out. He, however, thanked the petitioner for resorting to court action for ensuring citizens' rights.

He further alleged that the opposition-backed lawyers yesterday blocked the ways and exchanged hot words with the judges in the High Court.

Mannan Bhuiyan also claimed that the opposition parties have become isolated from the people. The hartal call proves that the opposition has no responsibility for the country as hartal does not bring any benefit to the people, he added.

"If they have any arguments against High Court verdict, they could appeal to the higher court. But they do not have the patience to go to the higher court," Bhuiyan said.

Responding to a question, the ruling party leader told journalists that the door for dialogue is always open. On recent exchange of letters with the opposition parties, he said the ball is now in opposition's court.

Replying to another question whether the government would enact any law banning hartal, Bhuiyan said the people are against hartal and the ruling party would resist such programme through mobilising people's opinion.

The ruling BNP will hold a protest rally in front of its central office today protesting the destructive activities of the opposition combine during Dhaka siege programme.

Bhuiyan will address the rally as chief guest, according to a press release issued by Dhaka city BNP.