In response to the letter from US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu, the Awami League has said there is not enough time left for holding any meaningful dialogue that would bring about tangible outcomes.
Bangladesh Awami League had, for many months, kept the door open for unconditional dialogue with other political parties, it added.
The ruling party's position was expressed through a response letter presented to Arturo Hines, the acting deputy chief of mission at the US embassy, on Friday.
Mohammad A Arafat, a member of the Awami League's Central Executive Committee, delivered the letter on behalf of AL General Secretary Obaidul Quader.
The United States, on November 13, dispatched letters to the three major parties - the Awami League, the BNP, and the Jatiya Party - urging "dialogue without preconditions." Donald Lu, the sender of the letters, reiterated the significance of "free, fair, impartial, and participatory elections."
On 15 November, US Ambassador Peter Haas delivered the letter directly to Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader.
Upon receiving the letter, Quader had said the time for dialogue had already passed and rejected the possibility of engaging in dialogue with opposition parties to resolve the ongoing political deadlock.
While the BNP and other opposition parties demand the ouster of the government and national polls under a neutral caretaker government, the ruling Awami League maintains the election will be held as per the constitution and under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
The United States, known for actively monitoring Bangladesh's political landscape, has consistently advocated for free, fair, and peaceful parliamentary elections in the country.
Even with Bangladesh announcing the date of the upcoming elections as 7 January next year, the United States' message regarding the polls remained unchanged.
"We have been consistent in our message regarding the upcoming elections, and that message remains the same now that the polling day has been announced," US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller said during a regular media briefing on 16 November.
BDST: 0827 HRS, NOV 18, 2023
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