BNP 'softens up’

BNP takes a step back, hints at ending blockade if Dhaka rally allowed

BNP Vice Chairman M Hafiz Uddin Ahmed on Monday blamed the government for the political unrest.

He met BNP chief Khaleda Zia at her Gulshan office.

"The [BNP-led] 20-Party Alliance will decide on it," he said. "But you'll certainly see positive steps from us."

Khaleda called the blockade on Jan 5 after police prevented her from leaving her office to join agitations on the first anniversary of the last general elections her party had sat out.

As he criticised police for permitting the Awami League rally, journalists asked him whether his party was willing to end its blockade if it would get the rally nod.

Over 100 vehicles have been torched and vandalised, and a number of people killed since then.

The party has been pressing for a snap election and many of its leaders, including Khaleda, had announced to continue agitations.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina urged her bitter political rival to refrain from violence. The Awami League president dubbed the BNP chairperson as "a leader of terrorists and militants" on Monday.

BNP Vice Chairman Ahmed claimed his party did not have any association with militants.

He hoped the prime minister, daughter of Bangladesh's founding father, would refrain from "instigating violence".

He said the BNP chief had announced to continue blockade "until democracy was restored".

On Sunday, party's Standing Committee member Rafiqul Islam Mia met her and later told reporters that the BNP was willing to call off its blockade if the government agreed for a dialogue.

Hasina on Monday reiterated that Khaleda was "not confined" to her office.

Ahmed claimed the prime minister was lying. "Why's there so many police if Khaleda Zia was indeed free?" he asked.

He called for an interim election.

"Khaleda Zia is a three-time prime minister. She will again be elected a prime minister if there's an election," the BNP leader added.