Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia reminded that present political crisis could only be settled within the ambit of the Constitution and said tlx government would not allow constitutional vacuum in the country on any plea, reports UNB.

"We cannot allow any constitutional vacuum in the country" on the unreasonable and undemocratic pleas of the Opposition, she said while talking to newly elected members of the Editors' Council at 50 Hare Road last night

The Prime Minister said the next general elections w ould be held on schedule, but did not say when it is going to be held.

Asked if the Opposition does not join election w ithout a caretakergovernment. Begum Zia said then the Opposition would have to take the responsibility.

"If they at all believe in denxx racy and (xinstinition. they must join elections to maintain constitutional process in die country." she said

In reply to a query, she said the BNP wanted to resolve the present problem politically , but the- Opposition did not come up with their sincerity . Now I don't see any solutkin rather than go by the Constitution.

Asked about her offer for resignation 30 days ahead of election, the Prime Minister said. "Whatever we do. it needs sanction of the Constilu tion."

Said she; "Things have Ixcome more complicated with the comple-tion of 90-day absence by the Opposition MPs. " Elaborating on the point, she said the BNP does not enjoy the two-thirds majority in Parliament -to meet the demand of the Opposition by amending tlx ( onstl tution.

Questioning the enmastt boy colt of Parliament by Opposition MPs. the Prime Minister said there is no precedent in any democracy of the world where the Opposition quits Parliament eahbe.

"How they could resign from Parliament? .Are they government ser-vants? They were elected to Parlia menl with people's mandate, the Prime Minister said.

ft is the usual practice to discuss ind resolve various national probk-ms sitting in Parliament. But it was ixx possible because of the Opposi lion's permanent boycott of Parlia nx-nt"

The Prime Minister recpicsied all the newspaper editors to write In Favour of resolving tlx current crisis amicably. "Please, do not write to deepen the crisis. Please, write for solving it in greater interest of the country."

Begum Zia said the Opposition .SB’s Itxi got maximum privileges during Ilie last four and half years and ihe BNP government ensured a balanced development in ali constituencies. which was never done in the past.

The Prime Minister called upon the editors to create global opinion througli their waitings in respective papers.

The meeting was also addressed, among others, by Information and Commerce Minister M Shamsul Lslam. Editor of the Meillat Chowdhury Mohammad Faruq, Editor of the Financial Express Moazzem Hossain. Tlx Bangladesh Observer Editor Prof KMA Munim. Chief Editor of I NB Enayetullah Khan. Editor of the Dinkal Sanaullah Noon, Editor of the Dainik Ban^a .Ahmtd Humayun, the Bangladesh Times Editor Mahbub Anant Aziz Misir of the Banghr Bani. acting Editor of the Morning Sun Aiiqul Alam, Editor of the New Na tion Mohiuddin Alamgir, Executive Editor of the Ittefaq Rabat Khan, Editor of the Dainik Khabar Mizanur Rahman Mizan, Editor of the Baugh Bazar Motiur Rahman Chowdhury . Managing Editor of the BSS Hasanuzzaman Khan, Editor of the Al Ameen Makbul Hossain. Editor of tlx Inqiiab AMM Baliauddin and Id> tor of the Sum* bar Abul Kashrm Ma funnier

During the meeting with Begun: Zia. tlx- Editors (/>vtx il stressed the need for regular exchangr of views with the Prime Minister for removing misunderstanding and communka tion gap.