AL opposes idea of nat'l govt: Zillur

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Acting Awami Leauge (AL) President Zillur Rahman has strongly opposed the idea of national government, saying it has no constitutional basis and his party will not join such a government, reports UNB.
"Idea of national government is floated to create a smokescreen … Awami League will not join such government," he said while talking to the newsmen at his Gulshan residence Saturday.
He told this at a meeting with the former leaders of Bangladesh Chattra League (BCL), the student wing of Awami League.
A section of the press, quoting sources in the power corridors, had published a report earlier about the prospect of formation of a national government.
"Awami League is a major political party of the country. How there can be a national government, if we do not join in it," questioned the elderly leader of the party.
Zillur renewed his demand for holding the stalled parliamentary election by April. He said, election is the only way to resolve all problems, and the caretaker government is committed to hold the polls by 2008.
"Power should be handed over to the elected government after holding free and fair election at the earliest," he added.
Zillur urged the party leaders and workers to remain united. "None could harm you or the party as long as you are united and stick to the ideals of doing politics for people's interest," he told the party rank and file.
Among others, AL-leaders Syed Ashraful Islam, Abdul Mannan, Maj Gen (Retd) Subid Ali Bhuyian, Dr Dipu Moni and Dr Hasan Mahamud, and ex-BCL lead ers Rafiq Kotowal, Saifuzzaman Shikhar, Marufa Akter Popy, Shahajada Mohiuddin and Mazhar Anam were present on the occasion.