Dhaka: Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader on Sunday said BNP leaders can talk to the Prime Minister over their demand for releasing their chairperson Khaleda Zia on parole for medical treatment.

‘If BNP wants their chairperson Khaleda Zia to be released on parole for medical purpose than it can talk to the Prime Minister as the dialogue is open. But the party is doing politics over the issue. The jail authorities have not shown any negligence about her sickness, rather they have taken necessary measures,’ said the minister while talking to reporters at the Secretariat, reports the UNB.

Replying to a question about any political decision over Khaleda Zia’s bail, Quader said: ‘The cases against Khaleda are not ordinary and the trial proceedings of the cases have been going on for the last 10 years. There’s no connection between the cases and the election because we didn’t file the cases and award the jail term. ‘

‘They (BNP) can go to the court in this regard. The High Court will take decision on her bail.’

Replying to a query over the letter sent by Jatiya Oikyafront seeking the second phase of small-group talks with the PM over the next general election, Quader said ‘We haven’t moved from the talks. We don’t want the dialogue after November 7 as there are 200 political parties.’

Referring to the Jatiya Oikyafront’s letter sent to the Election Commission requesting it not to announce the next general election schedule until the ongoing dialogue ends, the minister said, ‘It depends on the Election Commission. The government doesn’t interfere in it but the election should be held in time.’