The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Maulana Matiur Rahman Nizami yesterday said the political dialogue initiated by the Caretaker Government would not be meaningful keeping the two leaders-Begum Khaleda Zia of BNP and Sheikh Hasina-in jail.

"There is no alternative to the release of the two leaders for the sake of an election acceptable to all," he said while addressing a press conference at party's central office in the city.

He observed that the release of Khaleda and Hasina on bail would not disrupt the process of their trial in graft cases.

The Jamaat chief, who, among others, was charge sheeted in the GATCO corruption case, said he was not worried about the corruption cases against him at all.

He said he was not involved in any corruption or crime but he has been implicated in more than one case falsely.

Asked whether the Jamaat would take part in the government-sponsored dialogue, he avoided a direct reply saying, "We have not yet received invitation for the dialogue and decision will be taken in time."

Maulana Nizami, also a former minister, called upon the government to announce the specific date of the general election to dispel doubts in the minds of the people.

He also called for holding the national election by October instead of third week of December. He observed that the general elections should be held before elections to the local bodies.

Criticising the Election Commission (EC) for delimitation of parliamentary constituencies, the Jamaat chief said it has complicated its tasks by carrying out the delimitation activities.

He called upon all patriotic politicians to rise above the narrow party interest on national issues for the greater interest of the country.

Maulana Nizami placed a 13-point recommendations including withdrawal of cases against political leaders, release of all those detained during the emergency, finalisation of voter list by June and keep the media free from interference.

Among others, Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mojaheed, Mohammad Qamaruzzaman, Abdul Quader Mollah and Barrister Abdur Razzak were present at the press conference.