The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Awami League (AL) presidium member Tofail Ahmed yesterday demanded parliamentary election ahead of other polls and immediate withdrawal of emergency to restore democracy in the country.

Tofail reiterated the demand while addressing the party leaders and activists as chief guest at a meeting organised by the Motijheel Thana Awami League at Mahbub Ali Institutions at Shahjahanpur in the capital.

"The Government has usurped all rights of the people. They have proved their incompetence in all sectors. The unendurable price hike of essentials is a result of the Government's lack of skill to run the country," Tofail said.

He urged the Government to refrain from arranging upazila elections under the emergency and warned that AL would be compelled to boycott polls, if it is held under the state of emergency.

He also demanded the unconditional release of party chief Sheikh Hasina.

AL central Organising Secretary Saber Hossain Chowdhury said, "The Government should create a congenial atmosphere to hold the national elections in a fair and credible manner through lifting of emergency."

He urged the Government not to take Sheikh Hasina as a problem creator but to accept her as a problem solver.

AL would never participate in the national polls without Sheikh Hasina, he pointed out.

Golam Ashraf Talukder, President of Motijheel thana Awami League, presided over the meeting while MA Aziz, Acting President and Advocate Kamrul Islam, Acting General Secretary of Dhaka City Awami League, among others, spoke.