The New Nation - Internet Edition

Pankaj Karmakar

Ignoring the opposition of Awami League President Sheikh Hasina, the grassroots level leaders of the party are enthusiastic about taking part in the local government elections.

The AL central leaders have been facing tremendous pressure from the party's grassroots level leaders to allow them to take part in the city corporation and pourashava elections since the announcement of the poll schedules by the Election Commission last Friday.

Party leaders mainly from the four city corporations and nine municipal areas, where the elections are going to be held on August 4, have been arriving in the capital and holding meetings with the central leaders.

It is learnt the AL central leaders have been suggesting them to take part in the elections ignoring what their party chief has been saying against the local government polls before the national election.

A number of party leaders from Khulna, Rajshahi, Barisal and Sylhet said they apprised the central leaders about the importance of taking part in the local government elections. Unless the party takes part in the local government election, it would not be able to succeed in the parliamentary elections slated for December this year.

The central leaders of AL are now on a cross-country tour to gather public opinion in favour of their 6-point demand and to strengthen the party's organisational base. They are also reiterating the demand for holding parliamentary election before the local government polls.

Talking to The New Nation AL Acting General Secretary Syed Ashraful Islam hoped that the Government would consider their proposals regarding the holding of the national election before the local government polls.

He called on the Government to announce the schedule for national election and lift the state of emergency without any delay.

He also informed that the decision on joining the August 4 election would be taken at a meeting of the ALCWC, the highest policy-making body of the party, on June 26.

On the other hand, the Caretaker Government expressed its firm stance on holding the local body election in accordance with the announced schedule.

Talking to the New Nation a

nomination aspirant said, " We do not want to give any party the opportunity to 'score goals' in the open net taking advantage of the party's polls boycott."

"The organisational activities of the party will be accelerated ahead of the national election, if the party takes part in the local government election," he pointed out.

Another local AL leader said, "We will be able to understand how much the Government is sincere and honest about holding the national election if the local government election was held on time. Keeping this in mind the party should participate in the local government election."

Some partners of the 14 party alliances also gave the opinion to participate in the local government election, even if it is held before the national election.

Rashed Khan Menon, President of the Workers Party, at a meeting accepted the fact of holding the local government election first.

Nurul Islam, President of Ganatronti Party said, "I have no objection if the local government is held before the national election. I think it will not be at all harmful."