14-party to contest local polls under Nagorik Committee banner: Zillur
Sunday, 29 June 2008
The 14-party alliance led by Awami League (AL) might field candidates under the banner of 'Nagorik Committee' to contest the forthcoming elections in some city corporations and municipalities, reports UNB.
Acting Awami League President Zillur Rahman spoke about this possibility Saturday, a day after his party eventually decided to go for the much-debated local polls scheduled for August in four city corporations and nine municipalities.
But, the central body of the alliance would not nominate any candidate for the local elections, being held under the interim regime.
The candidature will be finalised at the grassroots levels, but in case of any dispute regarding candidature, the centre may intervene, he said.
Zillur Rahman was replying to questions from journalists at his Gulshan residence in the afternoon when a delegation of Bangladesh Garment Workers Unity Council (BGWUC) came to meet him.
"Centrally the 14-party alliance will not nominate anybody, nor will it support anyone. But, if several persons stand for the candidature against one area from the alliance, then the centre may intervene to decide what will be the best. But 14-party candidates may contest under the banner of Nagorik Committee," he said.
Asked about their position on the Upazila election-which the caretaker government is going to hold before parliament election, too--Zillur Rahman said decision would be taken later on considering time and situation.
The journalists also sought his reaction about the news reports that one member of the AL working committee during its meeting said Sheikh Hasina had been released and sent abroad following secret agreement with the government.
Zillur Rahman said such report was not true as none of the WC members did talk in such a way.
The BGWUC leaders informed him about their several demands, including increase in their salaries, providing 50 per cent dear allowance, transport facilities.
Zillur assured the labour leaders that the AL would provide all necessary assistance to them in realising their demands.
Acting Awami League President Zillur Rahman spoke about this possibility Saturday, a day after his party eventually decided to go for the much-debated local polls scheduled for August in four city corporations and nine municipalities.
But, the central body of the alliance would not nominate any candidate for the local elections, being held under the interim regime.
The candidature will be finalised at the grassroots levels, but in case of any dispute regarding candidature, the centre may intervene, he said.
Zillur Rahman was replying to questions from journalists at his Gulshan residence in the afternoon when a delegation of Bangladesh Garment Workers Unity Council (BGWUC) came to meet him.
"Centrally the 14-party alliance will not nominate anybody, nor will it support anyone. But, if several persons stand for the candidature against one area from the alliance, then the centre may intervene to decide what will be the best. But 14-party candidates may contest under the banner of Nagorik Committee," he said.
Asked about their position on the Upazila election-which the caretaker government is going to hold before parliament election, too--Zillur Rahman said decision would be taken later on considering time and situation.
The journalists also sought his reaction about the news reports that one member of the AL working committee during its meeting said Sheikh Hasina had been released and sent abroad following secret agreement with the government.
Zillur Rahman said such report was not true as none of the WC members did talk in such a way.
The BGWUC leaders informed him about their several demands, including increase in their salaries, providing 50 per cent dear allowance, transport facilities.
Zillur assured the labour leaders that the AL would provide all necessary assistance to them in realising their demands.