POLIITICAL PROCESS LIKELY IN BANGLADESH

The caretaker government of Bangladesh is likely to begin the much-awaited dialogue with political parties this month. “The government is presently making preparations to hold the dialogue very soon,” Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Syed Fahim Munaim told newsmen after a meeting of the advisory council at the Cabinet Division in Bangladesh Secretariat. “I think it will begin this month,” Fahim said in reply to a query at a press briefing at the Press Information Department. Newspapers had reported that a few advisers were busy holding meetings in the last few days as part of the preparation for the dialogue. Sources said political parties look forward to raising a number of issues, including the parliamentary elections, release of their top leaders, food crisis and price hike of essentials while the caretaker government would want them to reach a consensus about some crucial national issues. The issue of complete withdrawal of the restrictions on indoor politics across the country will also come up at the talks while a decision on whether to relax or lift the state of emergency might come after the dialogue, the sources added.