Main opposition Awami League (AL) General Secretary Abdul Jalil has again said the upcoming parliamentary polls would not be held without reforms to the caretaker government system and Election Commission (EC).

"The BNP-led coalition government would be forced to bring reforms to the caretaker government," the AL leader told the 'Meet the Reporters' programme organised by the Dhaka Reporters Unity at its auditorium yesterday.

Jalil said discussions are on with like-mined political parties about the reforms and a proposal would be placed before the nation by the month-end.

He urged the ruling BNP and other political parties to reach a consensus to free the parliament and its politics from the grip of corrupt bureaucrats, black money holders and godfathers of criminals.

"Expulsion of godfathers and black money holders has to be reciprocating. If the Awami League

expels all black money holders and the BNP does not take a similar measure, then we (AL) will be in trouble."

He said the AL does not sell party tickets to business magnates depriving the politicians.

The AL leader observed that the parliament was supposed to be the meeting place of politicians, but it has turned to be the house of businesspeople and godfathers of criminals.

"What can the people expect of this parliament now that 60 to 70 percent of the parliamentarians are either black money holders or godfathers of criminals?" Jalil asked.

Asked if they will join the next parliament session, he said the AL always wants to go back to the parliament but the government's unfriendly attitude forces it to stay away from the House.

Jalil referred to a meeting BNP Secretary General Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan and he attended last year and said, " In that meeting we both agreed not to harbour those who own black money and godfathers of criminals in the party, but since then we have not got any positive response from the BNP on the issue."

Turning to the reforms, Jalil said, "It is typical of (Prime Minister) Khaleda Zia to oppose any sorts of reforms although she finally give in to the pressure created by the opposition parties."

Asked about the BNP secretary general's refusal to discuss caretaker government reforms and appointment of new chief election commissioner (CEC), Jalil said, "What Mannan Bhuiyan has said bears no significance. What Khaleda Zia says matters."

The AL general secretary said appointment of a new CEC has nothing to do with the reform proposal being drafted by the opposition regarding caretaker government system and the EC.

Asked if the AL would launch a street agitation if the government arbitrarily appoints the new CEC, he replied, "Let the time come and you will see it in future."

On Chittagong City Corporation election scheduled for May 9, Jalil said the AL-backed candidates would secure 60-70 percent of the ballots at stake if the election were free and fair. He warned however that if the elections were rigged, the opposition parties would launch a movement from Chittagong to bring down the government.

On the recent border skirmishes, the AL leader said the government let those happen to fan anti-Indian sentiments ahead of the national election to reap political benefits.