DHAKA: Six US congressmen sent letter to the top two leaders of Bangladesh urging them to reach a consensus for holding upcoming the 10th national election in free and fair manner.

The US politicians came up with the urge in separate letters to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and opposition BNP leader Khaleda Zia.

In the letter, Three Republicans and three Democrats, including top members of the House Foreign Affairs

Committee said that the deadlock and related violence threatens Bangladesh`s economic progress and fight against poverty.

They are Eliot Engel, Edward Royce, Steve Chabot, Joseph Crowley, George Holding and Grace Meng.

The US lawmakers has strongly urged Bangladesh`s prime minister and opposition leader to hold immediate talks to end a bitter political stalemate that threatens elections next month.

The near-identical letters, dated Thursday, were sent to Prime Minister Sheik Hasina and her political rival and former premier, Khaleda Zia. The committee made them public Friday.

BDST: 1020 HRS, DEC 15, 2013
Edited by: SM. Mostafijur Rahman Nasim, Newsroom Editor / Rubaiat Saky, Senior Newsroom Editor