Liton retracts remark on joining upazila polls

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RAJSHAHI, Aug 12 (bdnews24.com): Awami League-backed Rajshahi City Corporation mayor-elect Khairuzzaman Liton has retracted his statement two hours after he said the AL should go to Upazila polls amid a relaxed state of emergency.

"AL should participate in the local government polls on the basis of discussion with the government on relaxing the state of emergency," Khairuzzaman Liton told the newsmen in Dhaka Tuesday.

Asked about the government's announcement that the newly elected mayors and councillors would have to relinquish their party posts before taking oaths, the AL leader said: "If the government takes such decision we have to take recourse to law."

Liton spoke to reporters after placing floral wreath at the portrait of independence leader Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at Dhanmondi in the city.

After the statement, Liton went to meet acting party president Zillur Rahman at his Gulshan residence where reporters asked Zillur Rahman to give his reaction to Liton's statement.

But Liton rushed to his own defence: "I did not say so. I spoke for withdrawal of the state of emergency.

AL presidium member Tofail Ahmed present there said, "Election under emergency would not in any way be acceptable."

Earlier, as Zillur Rahman was having a meeting with British High Commissioner Stephen Evans and Liton and his supporters were waiting there, journalists rushed to him for confirmation of his statement.

Liton again said: "Through easing the state of emergency and on the basis of discussion with the government AL should participate in the local government elections."

The AL leader later said he would move the court against the provision the government made for mayors-elect quitting party post before taking oath.

Earlier Zillur Rahman criticised the government for not giving bail to former minister engineer Mosharraf Hossain despite a High Court order.