The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

Awami League Wednesday officially turned down the caretaker government's offer for dialogue without its detained chief Sheikh Hasina.

Acting general secretary Syed Ashraful Islam announced the party's decision at a crowded media conference after the 3-day hectic meetings of the party's extended committee and the central working committee.

"We'll not participate in any dialogue without our leader Sheikh Hasina… We will convey our sentiment to the government in a day or two," he said at the end of the adjourned meeting of the working committee at the Dhanmondi office.

The working committee announced signature campaign and cross-country organizational tour next month and endorsed the Dhaka City AL's 'human wall' program in the first week of June around the makeshift jail where Hasina is detained.

Asked whether they will join the dialogue if Hasina is released on parole, Ashraf said: "No question of parole. We will consider whether or not we will join the dialogue after unconditional release of Sheikh Hasina."

Asked how they expect Hasina's release as cases were filed against her, he outright rejected the current trail process. "All these cases are baseless, concocted and motivated. We don't accept this trial process," he said.

Ashraf said Awami League would observe the historic 7th June in Dhaka and elsewhere in the country by holding discussions. It will also launch signature campaign all over the country excepting Dhaka City from June 7-30 in support of Sheikh Hasina's release and the 6-point demand.

He said the central leaders of the party would tour district and upazila headquarters from June 15-30 and hold extended meetings to reactivate the party's grassroots workers and organizations. The central committee has endorsed the Dhaka City AL's planned "human wall" in the first week of June around the makeshift jail in the parliament building complex where Hasina is detained since July 16 last year.

The party reiterated its demand to send Hasina abroad for treatment as she has almost lost her hearing power.

The working committee also expressed deep concern at the record prices of fuel and foodstuff.

Earlier, acting AL president Zillur Rahman chaired the adjourned meeting of the central working committee.