Dhaka: Though all the issues will come up for discussions at the dialogue with political parties, the decisions will be taken as per the Constitution, said Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed on Thursday.

‘Receiving Dr Kamal Hossain’s letter, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina took the decision to hold dialogue after discussion with us. They mentioned in the letter that they want to discuss their seven-point demand and 11 goals. We informed them that the discussion will be held as per the Constitution,’ he said, reports the UNB.

The minister was talking to reporters after an Indian delegation, led by its Food and Public Distribution Secretary, met him at the Secretariat.

Responding to a query about whether the dialogue is an initiative to bring back those who were once involved in Awami League politics, he said there is no last word in politics.

About the release of political prisoners, Tofail said, ‘We, many leaders, were in jail after 1975 though there was no allegation against us. Bangabandhu was also sent to jail. The country’s people got him freed through a mass upsurge. But Begum Zia and others are now behind the bars on specific allegations. They’re not political prisoners.’

He said their main aim is to hold a free, fair and participatory election. ‘The Election Commission will accomplish the work and the government will assist it. Whatever the outcome of the dialogue might be, we all will take part in the election under this government being supervised by the Election Commission.’