He has expressed apprehension that the situation might deteriorate if the talks were not held now.

The former president has also warned that government might be ultimately forced to sit for talks under foreign pressure, which would be ‘ignominious’ for the country.

Chowdhury was speaking to journalists after visiting BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s advisor and former state minister Reaz Rahman at United Hospital at Gulshan on Friday.

“The current political crisis in the country is deepening which is a bad for politics,” he observed.

“I reiterate that there is only one way to overcome the situation. The government will have to sit for talks,” he said.

“If you (government) don’t initiate talks with the opposition now, you may have to do so afterwards under foreign pressure. That will be shameful,” he added.

About the attack on Rahman, Chowdhury said, “Such a gentleman has been shot…I don’t have words to condemn it.”

He also wished quick recovery of Rahman.

Unidentified miscreants shot Rahman at Gulshan on Tuesday and burned his car as he was going home after meeting Khaleda Zia. He underwent surgery on Wednesday.

Blaming the government for the current situation, former BNP leader said, “It is the government that will have to face the situation. What would have happened if the rally was allowed? The government has missed the first bus by not letting BNP to hold the rally.”

Police cordoned off Khaleda’s office on Jan 3 ahead of party’s Jan 5 rally. Failing to demonstrate on Jan 5, the BNP chairperson called a nonstop countrywide blockade.

Chowdhury said, “The ruling party held a rally on 12 January despite a ban on assembly of people. It was unacceptable. The government missed the second bus by holding that rally.”