The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

Sharply contradicting the claim of Adviser Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman the 4-party alliance leaders last night said none of their 7-point demand was implemented till Saturday.

Briefing the newsmen after the alliance meeting in the evening at Gulshan office of BNP, Khandker Delwar Hossain said, "the government has lost its neutrality. We are happy that cases against AL president Hasina have been withdrawn. But the cases against the alliance

leaders including Khaleda and Maulana Nizami have not been withdrawn,"

About the demand of the alliance Dr Zillur in a statement earlier today clearly said that emergency would be lifted in phases from the date of filing nomination. On demand of withdrawal of cases against the alliance leaders, he said it was a matter of the court.

Delwar termed the statement of Dr Zillur as irresponsible. "He had claimed six of the seven demands accepted. But none was implemented till today," he said and urged the Adviser not to mislead the nation by dishing out confusing statement.

Delwar avoided direct reply when asked if the alliance will not go to polls without accepting the demands. "We have made our stand clear. You take it from that."

He also refused to take a volley of questions shoot out by the reporters pertaining to upcoming election.

A leading English daily yesterday reported that Jamaat and some others in the alliance are anxious to go to polls and hinted at the prospect of connecting with BNP reformists and Jatiya Party.

The alliance meeting presided over by BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia was loaded with the presence of as many as six leaders of Jamaat. None of them was however willing to talk to reporters.

Delwar accused the government of favouring Awami League. "The government is highly generous to Awami League. All the cases against Sheikh Hasina have been withdrawn. But the cases against the alliance leaders including Khaleda and Nizami have not withdrawn. It shows how generous they are to Awami League."

"All our competent candidates have been tried and convicted with a motive to keep them out of the fray …The media is forbidden to publish the election results until official results are given by the Election Commission. It is clear they want to announce the pre-destined results." Added the BNP secretary general.

He said they are very much willing to take part in the election. "Accept our demand without any delay, we will immediately announce our positive decision."

The alliance leaders attended the meeting are Khandker Delwar Hossain, Rizvi Ahmed, Mohammad Qamaruzzaman, ATM Azharul Islam, Kader Mollah, Maulana Sayeedi, Maulana Abdus Sobhan, Rafiqul Islam, Andaleve Rahman, Shamim Al Mamoon, Abdul Latif Nezami, Maulana Ishaque and Prof Abdul Kader.