Zia gives two-day ultimatum for talks on electoral system

Bangladesh's main opposition leader Khaleda Zia today gave a two-day ultimatum to her arch-rival Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to initiate talks on the demand for amending the electoral system, failing which her party would launch a 60-hour nationwide strike.
"We give you (the government) two days time...Unless you take steps for dialogue within the period, a 60-hour hartal (strike) will be observed across the country from October 27," Zia told a massive party rally at the city's Suhrawardy Udyan.
"But if the government comes up with positive proposals for a dialogue, we will continue the negotiations but also continue the movement on the streets...Both movement and negotiations can continue simultaneously," Zia said.

BNP's crucial ally fundamentalist Jamaat-e-Isami activists also joined the rally in huge number defying drizzles.
Zia said the government has become "illegal" as the 90-day countdown for the January elections began today.
The announcement came as ruling Awami League and the main opposition party along with their allies organised rival rallies over dispute on electoral system.

Reacting to Zia's statement, Awami League spokesman Mohammad Nasim sharply criticised her for "opting for confrontation" and asked her to withdraw the strike call but said Hasina would call her any time.
"Sheikh Hasina will call you (Zia) any time to invite you for talks (as she said earlier)," he said after the ruling party staged a counter rally in front of the Awami League central office at Bangabandhu Avenue but did not point out exactly when the two could talks over phone.

Nasim questioned how Zia could declare the government illegal from October 27 or October 25, saying according to the Constitution and peoples mandate the tenure of the ruling Awami League in office w nsa akjould expire on January 25, 2014.