The New Nation - Internet Edition

Pankaj Karmakar

Although Awami League (AL) is strongly opposing holding of upazila election before the parliamentary polls, but from a reliable source it is learnt that the party may have to participate in the polls for the sake of party's unity.

According to sources, the party will be compelled to participate in the upazila polls under severe pressure of the grassroots level leaders.

The central leaders fear that it will be difficult to refrain the local leaders from participating in the upazila polls.

But the central leaders will continue their opposition till the last minute to pressurise the government to defer the polls.

A central leader of the party said, "We will oppose the move of holding upazila elections ahead of the national elections. But it will be hard for us to persuade the grassroots level leaders to desist from the polls. So we may have to participate in the elections."

Source said that few leaders, who were confirmed for contesting in the national polls, were opposing the upazila polls. But the grassroots leaders had taken their firm stance to participate in the polls. Some of them have already started campaign.

The Caretaker Government is eager to hold the upazila elections, as the election gas been deferred during the tenure of last three parliamentary governments.

The AL central leaders apparently are opposing the upazila elections on the ground that it may create barrier to a free, fair and credible national elections. Actually they fear that the upazila chairman may hold more power than a member of parliament and thus their power may be curtailed, source said.

Talking to New Nation some central leaders of the party said, if the upazila elections were held before the national election, two or more local party leaders might contest for an upazila. Since, upazila election is a local government election. That is why no one would be nominated under the party's banner. So the central leaders would not request any one to withdraw his or her candidature.

They further said that the candidates, who would be defeated, might create problem during the national elections through opposing the MP nominee of that constituency. This would be harmful for the unity of the party.

Expressing solidarity another central leader pointed out, "The duration between the upazila election and the national election is very short. During this short span of time it is impossible for the party policymaker to pull the upazila chairmen in favour of us. That is why we are mainly opposing upazila elections ahead of the national elections."