The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

The Awami League has decided to place the demand for holding the national election before the upazila polls, when the party sits in the Government-sponsored dialogue on July 3.

The AL Acting General Secretary Syed Ashraful Islam yesterday said this while briefing reporters after coming out of a meeting with the Workers Party (WP), a partner of the 14-party alliance, at the Gulshan residence of AL Acting President Zillur Rahman.

The AL arranged the meeting as part of series of discussions with its allies to prepare a common set of proposals, to be placed in the formal dialogue with the Government.

Ashraful said, "We have reached an agreement to raise the demand for holding of parliamentary elections before the upazila polls at the Government-sponsored talks.

He also warned that the AL would not participate in the national and upazila elections without the complete withdrawal of state of emergency.

Ashraful said, "We have decided to participate in the city corporations and municipal elections for the greater interest of democracy and law and order in the country. But we will not join the upazila elections, if the emergency is not lifted."

"We will evaluate the Government's performance, how much they are transparent in holding the elections. Subsequently this will prove whether the Government is sincere or not in holding the long-awaited parliamentary polls in a free and fair manner," he pointed out.

Pointing to the huge difference between holding elections to four city corporations and nine municipal and Upazilas polls, he said, " It is a tougher task to hold election in 465 upazilas."

While addressing the reporters WP General Secretary Bimol Biswas said that the upazila elections would hamper the national elections, if held earlier.

He blamed the Government for trying to establish a controlled democracy in the country.

Bimol cautioned that it would not augur well for the nation, if the Government fails to eliminate doubt from the minds of the people that the national elections might be delayed again.

The AL presidium members and Workers Party president Rashed Khan Menon were also present at the meeting.

The AL on Sunday disclosed that the 14-party along with all the pro-liberation forces and civil society would jointly contest the city corporation and municipal elections under the banner of Nagarik Committee.

AL will sit with Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal, Samyabadi Dal (JSD) and Gonotantri Party today and with National Awami Party, Gano Azadi League and Communist Kendra on Wednesday to set the agenda for the dialogue and the issues relating to the elections.