Dy speaker invites AL, BNP to talks over tea

Deputy Leader of the Opposition Abdul Hamid told reporters they would respond to the invitation today after discussing it with party leaders.

Akhtar Hamid sent separate letters to BNP Secretary General and LGRD and Cooperatives Minister Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan, Chief Whip Khandaker Delwar Hossain and the deputy leader of the opposition, inviting them to resolve the standoff over a cup of tea at his chamber.

Hamid also told the Deputy Speaker on telephone that before joining him over tea, he would have to discuss it with senior party leaders.

The deputy speaker however hoped that the treasury bench and the opposition would meet today. The ruling party is ready to sit with the opposition, he said.

The AL is boycotting the House sittings to press for its three-point demand including an apology by the State Minister for Housing Alamgir Kabir for his "filthy and derogatory" remarks against Leader of the Opposition Sheikh Hasina during budget discussion on Wednesday.

Hamid said the budget speech of treasury bench member Salauddin Quader Chowdhury shows that 'invective' at the opposition leader by the treasury bench members is continuing.

"Before having any tea, the use of indecorous and abusive words against the opposition leader must stop," Hamid told reporters.

Meanwhile, Abdul Hamid and Chief Whip of the Opposition Abdus Shahid met Hasina at her Dhan-mondi residence last night to discuss the speaker's invitation, AL sources said.

Hasina asked Hamid to send a reply to Akhtar's letter today.

Senior leaders of the AL will sit this morning to work out the letter. The next course of the AL action will depend on the deputy speaker's reply to deputy opposition leader's letter, AL sources said.