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Hasina, Khaleda meet

PHOTO: AFP

SHARING A LIGHTER MOMENT: Former Bangladeshi Premiers, Sheikh Hasina (left) and Khaleda Zia (right), at a function in Dhaka on Friday.

DHAKA: After 16 years, the former Prime Ministers and political archrivals, Sheikh Hasina and Khaleda Zia, met at the Armed Forces Day reception at Dhaka Cantonment on Friday.

The two leaders, who were jailed by the military-backed caretaker government and released after nearly a year in detention, shared a lighter moment and recounted their experiences in jail.

As the two leaders shook hands, the other guests applauded, welcoming the rare gesture.

Many observers say the political unrest in Bangladesh can be settled if the two key leaders hold talks.

The head of the caretaker government, Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed, also attended the programme.

The government, which once wanted to oust the ‘ladies’ from politics, is now eager that they contest in the general election. Ms. Hasina and Ms. Zia held separate closed-door meetings with Dr. Ahmed and the Army chief, General Moeen U. Ahmed.

When asked about the much talked-about political dialogue between them, Ms. Zia said she was ready to hold talks with Ms. Hasina. To a question on deferring the elections from December 18 to December 28, as demanded by Ms. Zia, Ms. Hasina said it is a matter between the government and the BNP, Ms. Zia’s party.

“The reason for extending the state of Emergency and delay the election is not clear to me. We prefer the election to be held as per schedule so that the people get rid of the Emergency rule,” said Ms. Hasina.

The government wanted to hold a dialogue with Awami League president Ms. Hasina over the issue of deferring the election by 10 days to facilitate the BNP’s participation in the polls.

However, Ms. Hasina declined the offer, asking the government to settle the matter first with the BNP, which has agreed to contest the election if the election date is deferred. The Awami League said it had no “major objection” to taking part in the election on December 28 if the government and Election Commission announce the new date after ensuring that all major political parties, especially BNP-led four-party alliance, are part of the election process. But the party would maintain its stance on holding the election on December 18.

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