AL, JSD vow to resist move to delay nat'l poll
Thursday, 19 June 2008
The Awami League (AL) Wednesday warned that it would resist any move by the caretaker government (CG) that could hinder next national poll, reports UNB.
The Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) also extended its support to the AL's stand.
Pointing at the government's effort to hold local government voting before parliamentary elections, AL acting General Secretary Syed Ashraful Islam said they were not ready to favour the decision.
"We have repeatedly said that we want parliamentary elections first of all," he told journalists after an hour-long meeting with the JSD at its office. JSD is a partner of the AL-led 14-party alliance.
"Now the government is saying about many things that can delay the elections. We want to warn the government that the AL will resist any such move," he said.
There is no way to purge the country of present crises without first holding the long-pending national polls, he said.
"So the government should not do anything that will make the situation more complex."
On what would be the party's action if the government first declares the schedule for the local government elections, Ashraful said they would make a clear-cut decision through discussion inside the party.
Replying to a query on what prompted him to sit with the JSD, Ashraful said, "Before leaving Dhaka for overseas treatment our leader Sheikh Hasina had directed us to further cement the boding of the 14-party alliance. So we have sat today," Ashraful said they would go to the dialogue with the government with a common set of proposals.
To formulate the proposals, the AL will start formal meetings with its political allies soon, he said.
He said they were hopeful of reaching a consensus with the government to resolve all contentious issues before the elections.
The leader demanded the government withdraw the state of emergency fully to create a democratic environment ahead of the next polls.
JSD's Executive President Mainuddin Khan Badal told the news men that all pro-liberation forces want the national polls be held in line with the roadmap.
"The government must hold the national elections first," he said.
Mainuddin said a sign was clear that "extremist forces and corrupt quarters" were again building unity ahead of the polls.
He said the 14-party alliance would resist "the evil forces".
The Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) also extended its support to the AL's stand.
Pointing at the government's effort to hold local government voting before parliamentary elections, AL acting General Secretary Syed Ashraful Islam said they were not ready to favour the decision.
"We have repeatedly said that we want parliamentary elections first of all," he told journalists after an hour-long meeting with the JSD at its office. JSD is a partner of the AL-led 14-party alliance.
"Now the government is saying about many things that can delay the elections. We want to warn the government that the AL will resist any such move," he said.
There is no way to purge the country of present crises without first holding the long-pending national polls, he said.
"So the government should not do anything that will make the situation more complex."
On what would be the party's action if the government first declares the schedule for the local government elections, Ashraful said they would make a clear-cut decision through discussion inside the party.
Replying to a query on what prompted him to sit with the JSD, Ashraful said, "Before leaving Dhaka for overseas treatment our leader Sheikh Hasina had directed us to further cement the boding of the 14-party alliance. So we have sat today," Ashraful said they would go to the dialogue with the government with a common set of proposals.
To formulate the proposals, the AL will start formal meetings with its political allies soon, he said.
He said they were hopeful of reaching a consensus with the government to resolve all contentious issues before the elections.
The leader demanded the government withdraw the state of emergency fully to create a democratic environment ahead of the next polls.
JSD's Executive President Mainuddin Khan Badal told the news men that all pro-liberation forces want the national polls be held in line with the roadmap.
"The government must hold the national elections first," he said.
Mainuddin said a sign was clear that "extremist forces and corrupt quarters" were again building unity ahead of the polls.
He said the 14-party alliance would resist "the evil forces".