Hasina says Chief Adviser still has time to prove his neutrality

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Awami League (AL) President Sheikh Hasina last night said the president-cum-chief adviser (CA) to the caretaker government (CG) can still take measurers to prove his neutrality since there is 24-hour time yet to meet the 11-point demand of the 14-party combine led by her party.

“If you [president and CA Iajuddin Ahmed ] do not take any measurers within 24 hours, then a peaceful and all out blockade will be enforced from November 12 to press home our demands to create a congenial atmosphere for a free and fair election,” Hasina said.

The AL chief was speaking at a meeting with leaders of thana units of the city AL and central leaders of all front organisations of the party at her Dhanmondi office.

A meeting of the AL Central Working Committee was also being held there with Hasina in the chair till the filing this report.

Hasina said the president has also become the CA violating the constitution in a bid to concentrate power in his hands. She also reiterated her accusation that Iajuddin has taken a stand against the people and is pushing the country into a state of uncertainty.

She urged the president to show ‘minimum neutrality’ as he also heads the non-partisan CG. “We have given time twice to show your neutrality but you have not taken any steps to do that,” she said.

Hasina went on, “Though we placed our demands 11 days ago, the Election Commission has not been reconstituted, voter list is yet to be revised and necessary changes both in the civil and police administration still to be made.”

Election could be held only after reconstitution of the EC and revision of voter lists, she streesed.

The AL chief asked her party leaders and workers to remain alert as, she feared, agents of BNP-Jamaat might enter gatherings of 14-party for destructive activities to shift the blame on it (14-party). “The enemies are conspiring in many ways to push the country into a deep crisis,” she said, urging her partymen to observe the blockade peacefully.

Hasina also instructed the party leaders to make a list of those who have not been included in the voter list.

She wondered that BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and her son Tarique Rahman are speaking about the CG in a tone of admonition.

In an apparent challenge to Khaleda, the AL chief said if the people get a chance to exercise their democratic rights properly, they would give her a good lesson through ballot.

AL leaders Syeda Zohora Tajuddin, Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury, Tofail Ahmed, Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim, Suranjit Sengupta, Obaidul Quader, among others, were present at the meeting.

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