Opposition rejects Bangladesh govt's talk offer

BANGLADESH: Bangladesh's main opposition party said it had rejected talks with the ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) about electoral reforms, citing the government's allegiance with Islamic partners.

Political analysts said the latest standoff could lead to more violence in the run up to a general election, due by next January.

"We have formally rejected the BNP's offer to have a dialogue on the electoral reforms in the presence of the enemies of Bangladesh and patrons of Islamist militants," Awami League General Secretary Abdul Jalil told Reuters.

The BNP said earlier it could not exclude the leaders of Islamic parties Jamaat-e-Islami and Islami Oikyo Jote from the talks. Both are coalition partners of Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia.

Awami chief and ex-PM Sheikh Hasina proposed changes to the country's election commission and the system of pre-election caretaker administration to ensure free and fair voting.

Dhaka, Tuesday, Reuters.