The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

As detained Awami League President Sheikh Hasina is set to walk to freedom anytime soon, her party central leaders yesterday asked its workers to get ready for the next elections. They also demanded unconditional release of Sheikh Hasina so that the former premier can take part in the elections.

"Take preparationst We'll have to win the elections under the leadership of our great leader Sheikh Hasina," AL acting general secretary Syed Ashraful Islam said.

He was addressing an extended meeting of AL's front organisation Swechhasebak League at the Diploma Engineers Institute. AL presidium members Amir Hossain Amu, Tofael Ahmed and Matia Chowdhury, among others, addressed the meeting held with Swechhasebak League vice-president Abdul Hannan in the chair. Syed Ashraful expressed the hope that Sheikh Hasina would be released soon ending the country's current political stalemate. Amir Hossain Amu urged the government to put an end to all the confusions and speculations by releasing Hasina. He also asked the party leaders and activists to get prepared to fight the elections saying that AL would be guided by Hasina in the future as well.

Amu, however, ruled out the possibility of any united movement with BNP "because BNP's target is to kill Hasina and destroy AL". Tofael said Sheikh Hasina cannot be declared unqualified for contesting the next elections until the Supreme Court's verdict on one of the graft cases filed against her.

He urged the government to immediately stop the ongoing crackdown on innocent people and demanded withdrawal of the state of emergency for creating a democratic environment in the country.