The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

The BNP-led four-party alliance yesterday demanded of the Caretaker Government to cancel the new electoral laws, free former prime minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia and hold parliamentary elections first.

The demands were made at a meeting of the alliance held at the residence of BNP Secretary General Khondoker Delwar Hossain in the city. "We (the four-party alliance) have rejected the ordinance (RPO). The next parliamentary elections will be illegal if it is held under this ordinance," BNP Secretary General Khondoker Delwar Hossain said while briefing journalists after the meeting.

Terming the Representation of the People Order, (Amendment) Ordinance-2008' (RPO) unconstitutional, undemocratic and motivated he said the RPO has been enforced deliberately to keep the four-party alliance out of the ensuing polls.

"It's like serving old wine in a new bottle, which a Caretaker Government or the Election Commission doesn't have any jurisdiction to do it. Only an elected parliament can enact such a law," he said.

According to the amended RPO, a candidate will not be able to contest the national polls from more than three constituencies simultaneously, one has to register as a voter first to be able to run the elections and political parties contesting the polls must register first.

He alleged that the release of Begum Zia remained stuck, since the Government has attached some conditions including endorsement of all its misdeeds and taking part in the planned upazila and next parliamentary polls under the state of emergency.

"Such conditions are not acceptable to Khaleda Zia and even the people won't accept those," he observed.

The meeting started at 11:00am and continued for one and half an hours discussed the latest political development and preparation of August 27 human chain programme demanding immediate release of Begum Zia and her ailing elder son Tarique Rahman.

The meeting was attended, among others, by BNP Joint Secretary General Nazrul Islam Khan, Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mojaheed, IOJ Secretary General Abdul Latif Nezami, BJP Chairman Andalib Rahman Partho and Khelafat Majlish Secretary General Ahmed Abdul Kader.

Khondoker Delwar said the amendment has been brought to the RPO as part of a deep-rooted agenda designed with the motive to hold the next general under a blueprint.

Accusing the government of pursuing a double standard policy in releasing Begum Zia, he said Awami League president Sheikh Hasina has been freed but BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia is still behind bars.

Besides, he said, though Tarique Rahman's condition is deteriorating, he is not freed for treatment but many others with minor complications have been released for treatment.

The BNP secretary general criticised the government for ignoring the suggestions by the medical board of Tarique Rahman to send him abroad immediately for treatment to avoid becoming paralysed completely.

"We are worried about him (Tarique) as he has been partially paralysed. The Government will have to bear all responsibility," he cautioned.