The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Acting General Secretary of Awami League, Syed Ashraful Islam, yesterday urged the Government to implement the Representatives of People's Order (RPO) immediately ignoring all the opposition from some ill-motivated quarters who believe in politics of violence and vandalism.

He appreciated the Government initiative to bring administrative and electoral reforms and welcomed the Chief Adviser's address to the nation on Saturday although he demanded an extension of the gap between the national polls and upazila election.

He also accused the BNP for taking stand against the implementation of new electoral laws and code of conduct saying, "BNP again wants to use musclemen and black money in the forthcoming national polls. If the new electoral code of conduct is implemented, they'll find it difficult to carry out their evil design."

Ashraf disclosed this at a press conference followed by a meeting of the AL presidium, the apex policymaking body of the party at the Gulshan residence of Zillur Rahman, Acting President of the party.

Zillur Rahman, Sajeda Chowdhury, Amir Hossain Amu, Abdur Razzak, Tofail Ahmed and Matia Chowdhury were present in the meeting.

Ashraf also pointed out that the people of the country do not want to return to the pre 1/11 situation when the BNP-Jamaat government misruled the country and established themselves as champions in corruption.

He declared that AL would provide all kinds of support to the reform initiatives of the Government, including the recently-introduced RPO.

Admiring the CA's speech, he said that the AL would felicitate the activities of the CA, the EC and the council of advisers, as the CA's speech had ended all doubts over the national election.

He also suggested the Government and the EC to concentrate their efforts on presenting the nation a fair and credible election acceptable to all.

The Chief Adviser announced that parliamentary polls will be held on December 18 and elections to Upazilas will follow in less than a week in two phases, on December 24 and December 28.

About these polls dates he said, "We express out heartiest gratitude to the Government that it is arranging the national elections ahead of the upazila elections. But there is a technical problem that it is impossible for the partymen to take preparation for upazila elections hot on the heels of national polls."

On behalf of the party he demanded extension of the date of upazila elections.

About the withdrawal of the state of emergency he said, "The CA did not mention when the emergency will be lifted. We'll talk about this issue, as well. The countrymen and the international community will not accept elections under the emergency despite participation of all the political parties."

He found all aspects of the Chief Adviser's speech as 'positive'. "All difference of opinion is possible to be resolved through discussion."

He also urged the Caretaker Government to strictly ensure that all black-money holders, terrorists and armed criminal are barred from the polls.

He asserted that the party would nominate only honest, eligible and acceptable candidates for the parliamentary polls.

When his attention was drawn to a news item published in a national daily that the EC would not be responsible in case the polls are hindered by BNP's non-cooperation, Ashraful said, "We deplore the way BNP and some other parties behaved with the EC in the dialogue."

Asked if they would take part in the UZ polls, he said, "The Upazila polls will be held at the right time. The announced dates don't seem practical, as it is just five days after the national elections."

He also termed all the demands of AL rational, realistic and expressed confidence that holding of national elections before the upazila elections was the result of AL's persistent demand.

Asked about the date of convening party council prior to the registration with the EC he said, "We have discussed the issue in the presidium meeting. At present we found that it is impossible to convene party council under the state of emergency that is why we have decided to bring reform within the party with the approval of central working committee, which should be acceptable to the EC.

Replying to another query, he said, "The decision about the 'grand alliance' will be taken after Sheikh Hasina returns home. We expect her to lead our election journey as the 'grand alliance chief'."