People want polls under non-party govt: Khaleda tells Biswal

Staff Correspondent, DHAKA, Nov 17: BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia infirmed the visiting US Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs Nisha Desai Biswal that people of the country want next general election under a non-party government.

The opposition leader came up with the remark while she was holding a meeting with the US representative Nisha Desai Biswal this evening.

The meeting that began at Khaleda`s Gulshan residence at 8pm continued for over one and half an hour.

“People want election under non-party and neutral government. It’s people desire. If mass people’s demand is not respected, they’ll vent their natural reaction,” Khaleda was quoted by BNP vice chairman Shamsher Mobin Chowdhury.

He said Nisha Deshi said that the United States wants a free, fair, credible and acceptable election in Bangladesh to ensure the continuation of its progress in the coming days.
 
It also wants to see a stronger base of democracy and stable situation in the country through holding an election which needs to be acceptable to all.

Responding to a question, Shamsher Mobin said she (Biswal) did not come to put any pressure or give any suggestion.
 
He also said Biswal took note when Khaleda Zia talked about a non-party neutral government.
 
BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, BNP chairperson’s advisers Sabihuddin Ahmed and Reaz Rahman, and BNP vice chairman Shamsher Mobin Chowdhury, US Ambassador in Dhaka Dan Mozena were, among others, present.

Earlier, Biswal held talks with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at Ganabhaban, the official residence of the prime minister in the afternoon.

risingbd/ASB