The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Senior leaders of the Awami League yesterday threatened to boycott the ensuing dialogue and general elections if the detained party President Sheikh Hasina was not released before the formal talks between the government and political parties.

"The Awami League will not participate in the formal dialogue between the Government and the political parties as well as in the parliamentary election if President Sheikh Hasina is not released without any condition to join them," influential Presidium member and the top leader of the so-called AL 'reformist' group Amir Hossain Amu told a meeting of the Dhaka Divisional Representatives' of Jubo Mohila (Youth Women) League.

Sounding same tone, reformist party Presidium members Abdur Razzak and Tofail Ahmed joined the vocal anti-reform leader Begum Matia Chowdhury to demand of the Government the immediate and unconditional release of Sheikh Hasina before the dialogue and said neither the dialogue nor the general election could be fruitful without participation of the former Prime Minister.

Although they were putting pre-conditions like that of the anti-reform faction of the BNP led by its Secretary General Khandaker Delwar Hossain, who was constantly hammering the Government to release both the detained former Prime Ministers-Begum Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina-and allow them to lead their respective parties, the Awami League (AL) leaders, however, never demanded the release of Begum Zia, who is the Chairperson of the BNP.

Held at the party's Bangabandhu Avenue central office with Jubo Mohila (Youth Women) League (JML), one of most active front organisation of the AL, Nazma Akter in the chair, the meeting was attended by JML central leaders and presidents and general secretaries of its 17 district units of Dhaka division.

AL leaders Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury, Abdul Mannan, Mahmudur Rahman Manna, Adv Sahara Khatun, Adv Quamrul Islam and Dr Dipu Moni also spoke at the programme. JML General Secretary Apu Ukil conducted the representatives' meeting.

Terming the demand for Sheikh Hasina's unconditional release before the dialogue is the AL's only pre-condition at this moment, Amir Hossain Amu said, "Awami League can only participate in the dialogue along with its president Sheikh Hasina after her release. There is no alternative to it."

He claimed that their demand for the release of Sheikh Hasina has turned into "a national demand."

Amu, however, said they would decide whether to join the Government-sponsored dialogue after consulting with its allies in the 14-party combine and after getting Hasina's nod.

He alleged that conspiracy was being hatched to hold election keeping Sheikh Hasina behind the bar by filing "false and baseless cases" against her.

Presidium member Abdur Razzaq said they would free Sheikh Hasina through launching a tough movement and urged the party men to get united and take preparation for joining the movement.

AL presidium member Tofail Ahmed said they would not join the dialogue and also the election without Sheikh Hasina and there is no alternative to it. "Dialogue will never be fruitful and the parliamentary election will not be acceptable without Sheikh Hasina."

Calling for a vigorous movement for freeing the party Chief, he said there is no alternative to the party except launching street agitation, as their demands would not be implemented only through discussion.

Criticising the Chief Adviser's address to the nation on Monday, Tofail said, "The Chief Adviser has created doubts among the people about national elections by saying local body elections would be held prior to the parliamentary polls."

He demanded withdrawal of the state of emergency and said election under the emergency would not acceptable to the people of the country.

Presidium member Begum Matia Chowdhury demanded unconditional release of Sheikh Hasina before the dialogue process, saying, "Only her (Sheikh Hasina's) presence can make the dialogue successful. Otherwise, it is predestined to fail."

She urged the people to be prepared to join the movement with all 'their might' for freeing Sheikh Hasina.