The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Leaders of major political parties, particularly the BNP and the Awami League criticised the Chief Adviser's comment that the Caretaker Government wanted to continue with the state of emergency until December 18 general elections.

They reiterated their demand for the withdrawal of the state of emergency for creating a congenial atmosphere to hold a free and fair election terming the state of emergency as a major obstacle to a credible parliamentary polls.

The leaders also warned that they would not take part in the elections under the state of emergency.

BNP Secretary General Khondoker Delwar Hossain yesterday said a fair election is not possible under the state of emergency as voters will not be at ease to exercise their right of franchise under such a situation.

Talking to the reporters at his NAM Flat residence in the city, he said the BNP would participate in the upcoming parliamentary elections, but a congenial atmosphere has to be created for the polls.

"The four-party alliance would take part in the polls if their five-point demands were fulfilled," he said adding the alliance would hold a rally on October 12 to implement those demand.

Demanding withdrawal of the emergency, the BNP secretary general said confusion has been created in the public minds, as the dates for upazila elections have been declared immediately after the parliament polls. So, he said, the upazila election schedule has to be deferred.

AL presidium member Tofail Ahmed said the comment of the Chief Adviser is pulling the parliamentary polls towards uncertainty.

"It is clear to the people of the country that the government is trying to push back the national election," he observed.

The AL leader said the prime job of the caretaker government is to withdraw the state of emergency completely to create a level playing ground for all the political parties so that no one can accuse the government for foiling the December polls.

Another AL presidium member Begum Matia Chowdhury said the Chief Adviser violated his promise, since the CA in his address to the nation, assured the countrymen that the state of emergency will be lifted by turns before the national polls.

She also pointed out that the national election, will not be acceptable to the international community as well as the countrymen if it is held under the state of emergency."

Meanwhile, Awami League (AL) Acting President Zillur Rahman, " I am not completely aware of the Chief Adviser's (CA) comments in a interview with Time Magazine. I will comment on this issue later."