Zillur for withdrawal of state of emergency

FE Team | Published: September 07, 2007 00:00:00 | Updated: February 01, 2018 00:00:00

Acting Awami League (AL) president Zillur Rahman Thursday demanded lifting of ban on indoor politics and also withdrawal of the state of emergency, reports UNB.
"Because no circumstances exist in the country now to continue the state of emergency," he said at a press briefing at his Gulshan residence in the afternoon.
"Under the ongoing state of emergency, there is no fundamental rights of the people," Zillur added.
The AL leader said they would decide at the party's working committee meeting after the ban on indoor politics is lifted as to who would go and what are the matters to be discussed with the Election Commission.
"Dialogue with the Election Commission won't be fruitful if the ban on indoor politics doesn't go."
Zillur reiterated that no council would be held in the absence of party chief Sheikh Hasina and the AL would not participate in the general election without her.
Replying to a query, he said it would not be possible to curb corruption by merely filing 10-12 cases against an individual. "And it will also not be possible by harassing or making any list."
He said the government should create public opinion to curb corruption.
About the High Court order discharging Sheikh Hasina's petition for quashing the long pending Mig-29 scam case, the AL leader said: "It doesn't mean she is guilty."
"We are hopeful about the case as the victory of truth is inevitable," he said adding that they would appeal in the higher court as soon as possible.
About expelled BNP secretary general Mannan Bhuiyan's current stand, Zillur said he doesn't believe in frequent change of stand by anyone.
"Today, we chant slogan in favour of someone and after someday speak against the same personâ€¦I don't believe in such practice," he added.
AL leaders Motia Chowdhury, Adv Rahmat Ali, Maj Gen (retd) Subid Ali Bhuiyan, Habibur Rahman Seraj and Faridun Nahar Lailee were, among others, present at the briefing.