Sheikh Hasina has said the opposition will go for a dialogue only after the government comes up with an announcement expressing its readiness to bring a constitution amendment bill for a caretaker government to hold national polls, reports UNB.

"Let them come with the announcement first... we'are ready to sit for a dialogue." the Leader of the Opposition said at a meeting with the Overseas Correspondents' Association Bangladesh (OCAB) in Dhaka yesterday afternoon.

But Haslna made It clear that Opposition's return to Parliament would be possible only after the proposed bill on caretaker government for general elections is mooted In the House.

She said a dialogue cannot be fruitful unless the government declares before the nation its acceptance of a caretaker government for holding national polls.

"I want a meaningful dialogue which will produce results. I doh't want to see frustration among the people in the name of a dialogue." she said, adding that such a dia-। logue could be held on the constitutional modalities of a neutral caretaker government.

Replying to a question about her talks with the Speaker yesterday. Haslna said that the Speaker - had phoned her to convey a request for sitting In-a dialogue with the government to end the present parliamentary stalemate.

Hasina said she had told the Speaker the proposed dialogue could be held only after the government announced its acceptance of a caretaker government. ,

Defending the concept of a caretaker government, she said such constitututional provision would help ensure the accountability of a government to voters, curb corruption and boost economic development.

She told a questioner that BNP had totally failed to govern the country because of its inefficiency, unbridled corruption and policy of politicisation.

Hasina claimed* that the people had been totally disillusioned with BNP's "misrule" and wanted early elections to get rid of its government. The nation, she observed, would be benefited from early elections.

Asked about her party's stand if BNP goes for a snap election without conceding to caretaker government, the Awami League leader said. "It will be suicidal for BNP."

The opposition leader cautioned that if BNP failed to accept the caretaker government, it would have to face the same fatwas that of the fallen regime of Ershad.

During the meeting. Hasina touched on different aspects of the country's political and socio-economic issues as well as her party's stand on those issues.

Awami League leaders S A M S Kibrla. Tofael Ahmed, Mohamad Nasim. Abul Hasan Chowdhury. Prof. Abu Sayeed and Abdul Mannan were present.

OCAB President Syed Ka-maluddin conducted the briefing and General Secretary Farid Hossain gave the vote of thanks. '