The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

Demanding immediate and unconditional release of Sheikh Hasina, acting Awami League president Zillur Rahman yesterday said his party would not participate in the parliamentary elections without her.

"Hasina's unconditional release would be our main issue at the formal dialogue with the government and we won't join the polls without her," he said adding that only her release could resolve all the prevailing crises of the country.

Zillur made the remarks while unveiling the cover of a book named 'Mohammad Hanif, the First Elected Mayor of Dhaka City Corporation and His Life of Struggle' by journalist Moshtaque Hossain. Mohammad Hanif Memorial Foundation organised the programme at a city hotel.

The AL acting president said the nation would always remember Hanif for his fight for establishing people's rights and democracy.

Speaking on the occasion, AL senior presidium member Amir Hossain Amu said now the presence of Mohammad Hanif was needed very much as the country was passing through a troubling time.

"We're particularly feeling the absence of Hanif as we're going to launch a movement seeking Sheikh Hasina's release and establishing democracy in the country through a fair election," he said.

Another party presidium member Suranjit Sengupta asked the caretaker government to conclude the dialogue process by this month and hand over power to elected representatives by holding a free and fair election.

He alleged that the proposed dialogue is now turning into a wail due to the dillydallying tactic of the government. "People's miseries would continue to aggravate as long as this unelected government will remain in power.