Monday • January 08, 2007

Reiterates grand alliance

Polls under Iajuddin won't be allowed

The Awami League (AL)-led grand alliance yesterday reiterated that it would not allow holding of any polls under President and Chief Adviser (CA) Iajuddin Ahmed.

"The chief adviser wants to hold a stage-managed election on January 22. But the countrymen will not allow it. We will resist holding the election on the day at any cost," AL General Secretary Abdul Jalil said at a press briefing at his Gulshan residence.

Prior to the briefing, the grand alliance leaders held a meeting there with Awami League Presidium Member Amir Hossain Amu in the chair to review the latest political developments.

Blaming the CA for pushing the country towards crisis through holding a one-sided election, Abdul Jalil warned that that only the Chief Adviser, also the president, will have to take the responsibility if any untoward incident takes place.

To hold an election within 90 days, a proper voter list is required, but the government wants to hold an election without a voter roll, Abdul Jalil alleged.

The people of the country has expressed their solidarity with the January 22 poll boycott by observing the first day of the 72-hour non-stop countrywide blockade, he observed.

Criticizing law enforcement agency's attacks and mass arrest during yesterday's blockade, he alleged that they were not tortured like this even during the previous government's regime. Some 4,000 leaders and workers have been arrested in last three days with around 500 from the capital yesterday, he added.

"When the people are not taking part in the election, don't get involved with the electoral process. If you do so, you will be identified by the people and will have face the consequences," Abdul Jalil said towards the election related officials, asking them to refrain from carrying orders of the CA.

The AL leader also asked the law enforcers as well as the armed forces not to act for implementing anyone's political agendas. The CA has made the army controversial by using them to resist the blockade, he added.

On president's speech on Saturday night, Abdul Jalil said that it has become clear from his speech that he became the CA to hold one-sided election to bring the BNP-Jamaat coalition back to power. The president has misinterpreted the constitution on the advice of the 'half-educated' BNP appointed attorney general, he further said.

Senior leaders of the grand alliance were present at the briefing.

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