AL to take part local body elections

Awami League (AL) on Friday decided to take part the elections to four city corporations and nine municipalities ahead of national elections scheduled to be held on August 4.
''We have decided to join in the four city corporation and nine municipality polls in order to establishing peace and democracy in our country,'' acting party president Zillur Rahman told the media men after the two-day meeting of the party's central working committee at its Dhanmondi office.
He also asked the government to lift the state of emergency before the local polls.
Earlier, the party's top leaders had termed the announcement of local body election schedule conspiratorial and farce.
Party leaders later said a final decision would be taken in the next Awami League presidium and working committee meetings on June 24 (Tuesday) and June 26 (Thursday) respectively.
Thursday's meeting was adjourned to Friday, where a final decision was unanimous.
In the press briefing, Zillur demanded announcement of schedule for the general election slated to be held on December and unconditional release of party chief Sheikh Hasina, now in the USA on parole for her better health treatment.
The veteran politician also demanded that ailing AL leader and former home minister Mohammad Nasim be sent abroad immediately for his better treatment.
SA/June 27/21:30 BST