DHAKA, Oct 15: Nobel laureate Prof Muhammad Yunus on Saturday urged both the ruling and opposition parties of Bangladesh to resolve the impasse over electoral law reforms so that the nation could start preparations for the next general election.

“I urge them [the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and Awami League] to immediately settle their disputes in a single sitting,” said Mr Yunus in reply to a newsman’s query whether he would take any initiative to resolve the prevailing political crisis.

Talking to a gathering of reporters at his residence, Mr Yunus said the dialogue seemed to be progressing smoothly. “We have grounds to hope that it will reach a successful conclusion.

“I don’t think there is a need to take any fresh initiative. The political leaders can resolve the prevailing crisis themselves,” he said, urging politicians to avoid contentious debates.

The first-ever Bangladeshi Nobel Prize winner spent another busy day on Saturday receiving friends, colleagues, admirers and people from all walks of life.

They waited in a long queue from dawn to dusk at the Grameen Bank Bhaban to congratulate him. Processions were brought out in a number of towns and some places in Dhaka to celebrate the award of Nobel prize to Mr Yunus.