The leaders of the Awami League reiterated their demand for lifting of emergency completely and withdrawal of the announced schedule for the local government election without any delay and sending AL Leader Mohammad Nasim abroad for treatment.
The central leaders demanded this while addressing the leaders and activists at the discussion meeting at the Institution of Engineers Bangladesh to mark the party's 59th founding anniversary keeping AL Acting President Zillur Rahman in the chair.
"At first we demand full withdrawal of emergency, as no poll is possible under the state of emergency and then to hold the parliamentary election before all other election," Zillur said.
He also urged the Government to withdraw all false and fabricated cases filled against the AL leaders and to release them immediately and called upon the leaders and activists to take oath to participate in the national election under the leadership of party chief Sheikh Hasina.
Terming the AL the most dynamic and matured political party of the country Acting General Secretary Syed Ashraful Islam said, "The AL played the pioneer role in the War of Liberation to snatch independence. Similarly we will continue vigorous movement to restore democracy in the country through forming a democratic government elected by the people."
Demanding exemplary punishment of the war criminals AL Presidium member Amir Hossain Amu said, "The Government should take proper initiative to bring the war criminals to trial. We also should be concerned so that the culprits cannot escape through the loopholes of the law."
"We will try our best to work for the overall development of the country and countrymen as we did during the last 60 years since the establishment of the party," he added.
AL Presidium Member Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury expressed solidarity with Amu saying, "Not only the war criminals but also the individuals who gave them the license to get involved in national politics must be punished."
She suggested the Government to accept their demand for holding a free, fair and credible election to restore democracy in the country and to safeguard the nation from uncertainty.
Presidium Member Tofail Ahmed said, "The nation is passing through a crucial period. The main purpose of the Caretaker Government is to de-politicise the country through detaining the national leaders."
"Neither the national election nor the local government elections is possible under the state of emergency. So the Government must withdraw the emergency completely to create a positive atmosphere for holding a free and fair election," he noted.
Tofail also blamed that the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) cannot function independently because the Government was always trying to influence it.
Condemning the activities of the Election Commission for organising the local government elections first, AL Presidium Member Matia Choudhury said, "The Commission has the power to hold only the parliamentary elections under the supervision of the Caretaker Government."
She pushed for the Government to announce schedule for holding the National election in October cancelling the schedules for local elections and said, "We will not accept anything else other than the parliamentary polls."
Describing the history of the party, AL Presidium member Abdur Razzak called on the partymen to remain united and prepare for participating in the national election under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina.
AL central Organising Secretaries, Abdul Mannan, Mahmudur Rahman Manna and Sultan Md Mansur Ahmed, Acting President MA Aziz and Acting General Secretary of Dhaka City Awami League Advocate Kamrul Islam also spoke
Subject: AL reiterates demand Withdraw emergency, hold JS polls first 
Thu Jun 26, 2008 12:48 pm
