The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Awami League acting president Zillur Rahman will lead the party to dialogue with the caretaker government in absence of just released party chief Sheikh Hasina, who is likely to leave the country this morning for treatment abroad.

This was decided at the party's working committee meeting held at Sudha Sadan in Dhanmondi last night.

Besides, four Advisers of the caretaker government went to Sudha Sadan last night to meet with Hasina and discuss with her about her party's joining the dialogue with the government.

A senior leader of Awami League who was present at the working committee meeting, said Sheikh Hasina will remain absent for two months for her treatment in the United States.

He said at the working committee meeting, Sheikh Hasina demanded the lifting of the state of emergency as early as possible to create appropriate democratic environment ahead of the election.

Hasina, who presided over the meeting also asked the government to stop the current crackdown on political workers and demanded release of her party members by withdrawing all "false" cases against them.

Briefing reporters on the meeting, acting general secretary Syed Ashraful Islam said Hasina expressed concern over the price hike of essentials and asked the government to tackle it to assuage people's sufferings.

The former premier criticised the announcement of the national budget twice by the caretaker government, saying that it is a "violation of the constitution" to impose taxes without the sanction of parliament.

"Such situation cannot be repeated," she was quoted as saying.

During the meeting, Hasina expressed gratitude to AL leaders for remaining united that secured her interim release.

She expressed solidarity with the 6-point demand earlier put forward by the Awami League.

Ashraf said AL president Hasina would join in the political dialogue after her treatment overseas.

Meanwhile, in a dramatic turn of events four Advisers of the caretaker government last night went to Sudha Sadan to meet just released Awami League president Sheikh Hasina, for political dialogue.

Advisers Maj Gen (retd) Ghulam Quader, AF Hassan Ariff, Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman and Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury entered Sudha Bhaban at 10-15pm, about one hour behind the schedule.

Awami League sources told The New Nation that the party leadership placed 6-point demand that included lifting of emergency and parliamentary election prior to local body polls at the dialogue with the Advisers.