Bangladesh News

Awami League (AL) yesterday said that they would resist any move by the caretaker administration that can delay the next parliamentary election.

“We want national election first of all. It won’t be right for the government to engage in any activities that can hinder the polls and in that case, Awami League will resist those,” AL Acting General Secretary Syed Ashraful Islam said.

He was briefing the reporters after a bilateral meeting with Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) at its central office on Bangabandhu Avenue in the capital.

Syed Ashraf also demanded that the government lift the state of emergency completely for creating a congenial atmosphere ahead of the upcoming election. At the meeting, the JSD leaders also extended its support to AL’s stance.

The AL leader observed that there is no alternative way to rid the country of the present crises other than holding the parliamentary election first. “So the government should not do anything that can make the situation more complex.”

He said they want to take part in the dialogue with the caretaker government united and for this, they sat with JSD leaders to form a common stance. They would also hold talks with other components of the AL-led 14-party combine within a few days, he added.

Syed Ashraf said that they would let the government know about AL’s stance during the dialogue and expressed hope that both sides would reach a consensus.

Asked what the AL would do if the local government election is held first, the AL acting general secretary said they would decide about it in consultation with the party leaders.

Briefing the journalists, JSD Executive President Mainuddin Khan Badal said they all want the election to be held as per the announced electoral roadmap. “No other initiatives, hold the national election first,” he urged the government.

There is a clear sign that “extremist forces and corrupt quarters” are becoming united again ahead of the polls, he observed.

The JSD leader said that they would not make any compromise regarding corruptionists, adding that the 14-party alliance would resist the evil forces.