The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Awami League has a positive approach to participate in the local government election under the condition of complete withdrawal of emergency if it is held before the parliamentary election.

The formal announcement in this connection is likely to be made today after the party's central Working Committee meeting as the five -hour meeting of the committee yesterday was adjourned without any decision.

The central leaders of the party have been facing dilemma since the Election Commission announced the schedule for the elections to four city corporations and nine municipalities on June 20.

Earlier, Awami League during the dialogue with the Election Commission strongly opposed its plan to the hold local government polls before national elections. But the party remained silent in this issue soon after the release of the party chief, Sheikh Hasina, on June 11.

During the bilateral meeting with Jatiya Samajtrantik Dal (JSD) on June 18 the leaders of the Awami League firmly declared to resist the government's move for holding local government election first at any cost. But later they parried question on this issue.

Talking to the New Nation, Awami League Acting General Secretary Syed Ashraful Islam said, "Our Prime demand is the complete lifting of emergency first. We want the national polls before the local government polls. But with the changing circumstances and considering the decision of party men we may re-evaluate our decision of boycotting of local government election".

A leader of the AL central committee said a major section of the party is keen to participate in the local government election, but all of them firmly demand the withdrawal of emergency instead of relaxing it.

Talukder Abdul Khalek, a member of AL Executive committee, suggested the policy makers of the party to take decision on this issue after consulting with the party chief Sheikh Hasina.

Insiders said a few leaders opposed participation in the local government polls although most of the leaders expressed themselves in favour of participation.

At the meeting, AL central leader Latif Siddique suggested the party men to boycott the local government polls as the government is trying to divert the party's move by arranging the local election first. But another AL central leader KM Jahangir opposed his contention. They exchanged angry words in presence of party's presidium members.