Bangladesh News

Awami League (AL) leaders have alleged that BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia is demanding resignation of the election commissioners to foil the upcoming general election to kill time so that people forget corruption during her rule.

“If the election can be foiled somehow, people will gradually forget the corruption during BNP rule, and our (AL govt’s) good deeds. And then using various ways, you (Khaleda) will take over power,” AL presidium member Matia Chowdhury said at an extended meeting of the city AL at the party’s Bangabandhu Avenue central office yesterday.

She said people would foil ‘conspiracy’ against the parliamentary poll hatched by BNP-Jamaat coalition, and it must be held on December 18. No deviation from this will be acceptable.

“In the last 22/23 months, we have seen different faces of many people and so many games from behind the scene. These games concerned who will get which position if Sheikh Hasina relinquishes the post of Awami League president,” Matia said.

It needs wisdom to take leadership, she said, adding Sheikh Hasina, like her father, has it.

Meanwhile, AL acting President Zillur Rahman at another function yesterday said the BNP chief’s demand for resignation of the election commissioners will harm the election as well as the nation.

“Khaleda’s demand will severely harm the much awaited general election on December 18. Such a demand should not have been made when the election is so near,” Zillur said at a token hunger strike programme at the Central Shaheed Minar to press for Hasina’s immediate release.

Gouranadi-Agoiljhara Awami Supporters’ Forum in Dhaka organised the programme.

In reply to a question from journalists, Zillur said, “The December 18 election will obviously be held, and Awami League will participate in it under the direct leadership of Sheikh Hasina. No conspiracy against the election will be successful.”

Besides, AL acting General Secretary Syed Ashraful Islam yesterday apprehended that the country would plunge into a deep crisis if the election is not held for any reason.

Addressing a Jubo League rally at the AL central office demanding immediate release of the party president, he said the election must be held for protecting the country from colossal losses both in its economy and politics.

Ashraful criticised the government for ‘delaying’ the release of Sheikh Hasina. “All the cases filed against her are false and cooked up.”

He said, “I don’t know where lies the government’s weakness, why it is not taking any step to withdraw the cases.”