The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

The Awami League (AL) will not take part in the parliamentary elections without release of its detained chief Sheikh Hasina.

Acting president of the AL Zillur Rahman made this announcement after the six-hour token hunger strike of the party at Dhanmondi AL office demanding the release of Sheikh Hasina.

Criticising the Election Commission to carry out delimitation of the parliamentary constituencies, other AL leaders told the gathering that the EC's activities created doubt in public mind as to whether the stalled national elections would be held as per the roadmap.

"We have rejected the commission's move, but it is doing everything neglecting our demands.

Then what's the necessity of dialogue," Zillur Rahman questioned apprehending that if there is no dialogue, conflict is inevitable.

The token hunger strike was observed simultaneously at AL Dhanmondi and Bangabandhu offices from 10:00am to 4:00pm. Several hundreds AL leaders and activists took part in the programmes.

Zillur Rahman concluded the programme by offering juice to the fasting leaders and activists while AL presidium member Amir Hossain Amu offered juice to the leaders and activists at party central office at Bangabandhu Avenue.

The AL observed the programme to press its demands, including the release of Sheikh Hasina and send her abroad for treatment.

The other demands include withdrawal of state of emergency, holding free and fair elections and bringing down the unusually high prices of essentials.

This is for the first time the AL observed such a programme following the 1/11 changeover in the country.

During the programme, AL presidium member Amir Hossain Amu said they want to participate in the dialogue as well as the parliamentary polls under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina.

Abdur Razzaq said the presence of Sheikh Hasina is essential for making the dialogue fruitful and also for creating congenial atmosphere for holding the general election.

Tofael Ahmed said the Government should hold bilateral dialogue with the political parties.

He observed that the presence of Sheikh Hasina in the dialogue would make the talk meaningful.

Favouring the presence of army representatives during the formal dialogue, Suranjit Sengupta said, "We want to sit with those who hold power."

"Army is now at the central point of power so we want to sit with them. We do not want to sit with any employees of armed forces," he said.

AL acting general secretary Syed Ashraful Islam apprehended the EC's move for delimitation of the parliamentary constituencies might foil the entire process of election.

Criticising the EC for its move to hold the city corporation and municipality elections, he said it may delay the national election.

About the report on releasing the detained two former premiers Sheikh Hasina and Begum Khaleda Zia on parole to join the dialogue, the AL leader said, "If such a proposal has been made, we would say a good sense has started prevailing on a section of the government advisers."

He said the party would announce its next course of agitation after holding central working committee meeting within a couple of days.

Among others, the programme was also addressed, by Motia Chowdhury, Mukul Bose, Abdul Mannan, Mahmudur Rahman Manna, Sultan Mansur, Akhtaruzzaman, Abdur Rahman, Abdul Latif Siddiqui, Nurul Islam Nahid, Prof Ali Ashraf, ASN Ashikur Rahman, Adv Shahara Khatun, Col (Retd) Faruk Khan, Dr Abdur Razzak, Habibur Rahman Siraj, AKM Jahangir, Shafiul Arefin Tutul, Adv Abdul Mannan Khan and Ashim Kumar Ukil.