The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Gano Forum president Dr Kamal Hossain yesterday said there was no bar in the Constitution to hold local government elections before the national election but the matter should be finalised at the dialogue to be held between the government and the political parties.

He also said the state of emergency should be lifted before the elections and a national dialogue among the Government, Election Commission and political parties should be held to finalise the time when it would be withdrawn.

Dr Kamal said this after a meeting with the Ganotanri party at his residence at Baily Road in the city.

He said, "There is no bar in the Constitution to hold the local government elections before the parliamentary election."

"The state of emergency should be lifted before the elections and political parties, the Government and the EC should hold a national dialogue on this issue. We hope that the elections will be held in a normal situation," said Dr Kamal.

The meeting was a part of the Gano Forum's talks with like-minded political parties. Earlier it held meeting with Bikalpa Dhara Bangladesh, Communist party of Bangladesh, Workers party of Bangladesh and Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal.

Answering a question whether the GF would hold meeting with the Awami League Dr Kamal not specifying the name of AL said, "We will not only hold meetings with the progressive and pro-liberation political parties but also with different socio-cultural organisations."

About the trial of war criminals Dr Kamal said the demand should be raised at the dialogue with the government and the public demand should be met through the dialogue.

The Gano Forum president said the government had promised to hold the election within this December and they should keep their promise.

Ganotantri Party president Nurul Islam said, "If the war criminals were not punished then our independence would be under question mark."

He said national understanding should be built to meet national crisis.

Acting general secretary of Gano forum Adv Subrata Chowdhury, presidium member Pankaj Bhattacharya, office secretary Nawab Ali, Aminul Haque Bhuyian, Ganotantri party leaders Enamul Haque Mollah, Bhupendra Bhowmik Dolon and Rejaul Karim Lebu, among others, were present at the meeting.