The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff reporter

Awami League (AL) presidium member Amir Hossain Amu yesterday demanded holding of national election ahead of the upazila election and complete lifting of emergency to pave the way for holding the election in fair manner.

He reiterated the demand while addressing the audience at a discussion session organised by "Amara Surjamukhi", a socio-cultural organization, to commemorate the 33rd death anniversary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at the National Museum.

Amu said, " We obviously want the upazila election but it must be held after or at the same day of the national election otherwise the political parties will strongly resist it."

He also pointed out that the people of the country were eager to over- come the political crisis through exercising their franchise to elect a democratic government. According to the constitution holding of the national election was the major duty of the Government keeping another job aside.

He also put forward logic to withdraw emergency saying," The arena of national election is quite large and it can not be held only through indoor politics. It requires out door politics. So it is the first prerequisite to withdraw emergency for holding national election."

Another presidium member Tofail Ahmed raised question about the jurisdiction of the Government for approving various ordinances, as the constitution of Bangladesh did not provide such power to a caretaker government.

About formation of alliance he said, "We may form alliance with any pro liberation party who will agree with us to bring the war criminals to book if voted to power."

He also demanded unconditional release of party chief sheikh hasina as the party-men were committed to participate in the national election under her leadership.

Professor AAMS Arafine Siddique, former president of Dhaka University Teachers' Association, presided over the discussion session.