The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

The Awami League yesterday warned that the government would face a tough situation if it decides to hold upazila elections before the long-awaited national election.

"All the major political parties have asked the government to arrange the upazila elections after the parliamentary polls. But the government remains rigid on its stand. If the government arranges election first showing disregard to public opinion, then it'll face a tough situation with the political parties," said AL Acting General Secretary Syed Ashraful Islam.

Ashraful made this comments while briefing the reporters after the party's presidium meeting with acting president Zillur Rahman's Gulshan residence at night.

The AL presidium also said if the government does not pay heed to the political parties' demand for parliamentary elections, then it's desired consensus with the parties will be at stake, he said.

The presidium meeting also demanded the complete lifting of state of emergency before all elections to make those credible.

Asked about the disputes among the components of the AL-led 14 party alliance over sharing the candidates to contest the city corporation and municipality elections, he said the president and the secretary of each component of the alliance would sit today to finalise the candidates.

The alliance at the meeting is expected to chalk out some political programmes to protest the recent fuel price hike, he said.

"All those want to be candidates of the local elections are equally important to the alliance. As an alliance, we'll take the decisions", he said.

Ashraful also ruled out the possibility of going for any dialogue with their rival BNP following the call by detained BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia to hold talks among all the political parties ahead of the elections.

The AL presidium reiterated its demand for sending its ailing leader Mohammad Nasim abroad for better treatment, he said.