The New Nation - Internet Edition

Bhuiyan yet to decide on party ticket

Bdnews24.com, Dhaka

Former BNP secretary general Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan yesterday said he was yet to decide on which party ticket he would run for the parliament.

"I'll contest in the next parliamentary election, but this time I've no party, nor have I decided on electoral symbol," Bhuiyan said in a public relations campaign in two unions of Shibpur Upazila in Narsingdi district.

"I've been working for the people of this area for 40 years and they have voted me to the parliament thrice," said Bhuiyan, had been elected thrice as lawmaker from BNP.

He was expelled by BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia minutes before the joint forces arrested her on Sept. 3 last year

Bhuiyan urged the government to immediately lift the state of emergency for a favourable electoral environment and delay the Upazila election.

The emergency casts fear in the public minds and impedes a free and fair election, Bhuiyan, a former local government minister said.

"To continue with the country's development process, reestablishment of democracy amid election is a must."

BNP decision to join polls depends on govt accepting their demands

UNB, Dhaka

BNP secretary general Khandaker Delwar Hossain said yesterday that BNP will take the decision about taking part in the parliamentary elections as soon as the government accepts their demands.

"Out of our 7-point demand the government has accepted six points, but none of the six demands has been met yet…this raises question about the government's sincerity on holding the elections," he told reporters at his NAM apartment before departing for his hometown Manikganj.

Replying to a question, Delwar said the BNP has all preparations to go to the elections. Now it depends on the government and the election commission to clear the way for his party to contest the polls.

Asked whether BNP wants deferment of the election date from December 18, he said: "We will not say that but the government will have to take the decision about ensuring free and fair elections."

JAGPA calls for deferring election date

UNB, Dhaka

JAGPA president Shafiul Alam Pradhan said yesterday that the date for general elections must be deferred to hold a credible election by accepting logical demands.

Addressing his party's extended meeting of Dhaka city committee at JAGPA office, he said it is better not to hold the elections forcibly by keeping nearly 50,000 hajj pilgrims out of the elections.

Besides, he cautioned that none will be able to resist "two twenty two" instead of "one eleven" if attempts are made to hold the election by excluding the 4-party alliance and patriotic forces.

Pradhan said although the Fakhruddin government is in power, some parties are too eager in their role as ruling party.

He also criticized the role of foreign diplomats here in internal politics.

Bank employee killed in N'ganj road mishap

UNB, Narayanganj

A bank employee was killed and another person injured in a collision between a tempo and a pick-up van at Jalkudhi Bus Stand of the district yesterday.

Police said the accident took place at about 12 noon when a tempo collided head-on with a pick-up van, killing IFCIC Bank employee Asaduzaman on the spot and injuring another person.

Police held pick-up driver Tariqul Islam.

BRAC helps Sidr-hit people

UNB, Dhaka

BRAC, one of the largest NGOs in the world, was among the first to respond with immediate relief after cyclone Sidr hit the country on November 15 last year and has also been involved in long term rehabilitation programmes.

Under its long term programmes since December last year, BRAC built 17 cyclone shelters and 1182 houses, and reconstructed 927 school buildings and 2634 houses for restoring the livelihoods of the Sidr-affected people, said a BRAC press release.

It organised funds of US$ 1.8 million for emergency relief work from its own resources, including staff contribution and BRAC USA, and from individual local and international contributors.

Emergency relief packets, containing Tk 200 and emergency food were distributed to 184,469 households, while water purification tablets given to 69,503 people, and nutrition supplements given to 81,844 pregnant women, children and new mothers.

Besides, BRAC also distributed 42,453 blankets and 201,787 pieces of clothes. Some 2848 ponds were decontaminated and 21,499 sanitary latrines were installed while it distributed books and supplies for primary and pre-primary school students.

In addition, all loan repayments in the affected areas were suspended through March 2008 and for long term agricultural rehabilitation work and crop production it distributed 1.5 million saplings to 163,575 households.

Meanwhile, BRAC generated short term employment for 199,505 people through cash for work projects and gave disaster preparedness training to BRAC staff for capacity building.