Free Hasina or face polls boycott: Zillur
Saturday, 1 November 2008
Bangladesh Awami League (AL) Friday repeated its warning they would not go to the polls until party president Sheikh Hasina, now out on parole, was unconditionally released, reports UNB/ bdnews24.com.
"We will not go to the polls without Sheikh Hasina's unconditional release. And we want to see how the election is held without Awami League," acting president Zillur Rahman Said.
The AL acting president made the remarks while exchanging views with the leaders of 'Shaheed Noor Hossain Sangsad' at his Gulshan residence in the city Friday on the eve of Shaheed Noor Hossain Day to be observed on November 10.
Zillur said the government did not live up to any of the promises it had made to AL. "We want to get back our political rights that the government took away after the Jan 11."
Zillur Rahman reiterated his party position and accused the caretaker authorities of not taking impartial stance on the release of Hasina.
The AL leader said BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia was set free overnight, but Sheikh Hasina being an 'honest and patriotic' leader is not getting release. "We are very frustrated and aggrieved," he added.
Zillur demanded that all 'false cases' against Hasina must be withdrawn immediately and she will have to be released without any condition.
He expressed doubt about holding of the elections on December 18 saying the Election Commission and the government are not well prepared.
Zillur Rahman said at the last moment, the Chief Election Commissioner is saying that they could not announce the election schedule on previously declared date of November 2. Then, how the elections on December 18 could be held?" Zillur Rahman questioned.
He was critical of the government for staying in power for nearly two-years though constitutionally a caretaker government's tenure is only for three months.
"Now it is a matter to be seen how long the government does waste time capitalising on delimitation issue," Zillur Rahman said.
"We will not go to the polls without Sheikh Hasina's unconditional release. And we want to see how the election is held without Awami League," acting president Zillur Rahman Said.
The AL acting president made the remarks while exchanging views with the leaders of 'Shaheed Noor Hossain Sangsad' at his Gulshan residence in the city Friday on the eve of Shaheed Noor Hossain Day to be observed on November 10.
Zillur said the government did not live up to any of the promises it had made to AL. "We want to get back our political rights that the government took away after the Jan 11."
Zillur Rahman reiterated his party position and accused the caretaker authorities of not taking impartial stance on the release of Hasina.
The AL leader said BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia was set free overnight, but Sheikh Hasina being an 'honest and patriotic' leader is not getting release. "We are very frustrated and aggrieved," he added.
Zillur demanded that all 'false cases' against Hasina must be withdrawn immediately and she will have to be released without any condition.
He expressed doubt about holding of the elections on December 18 saying the Election Commission and the government are not well prepared.
Zillur Rahman said at the last moment, the Chief Election Commissioner is saying that they could not announce the election schedule on previously declared date of November 2. Then, how the elections on December 18 could be held?" Zillur Rahman questioned.
He was critical of the government for staying in power for nearly two-years though constitutionally a caretaker government's tenure is only for three months.
"Now it is a matter to be seen how long the government does waste time capitalising on delimitation issue," Zillur Rahman said.