The six advisers to the caretaker government, who are continuing in their jobs, played down the resignations of four of their colleagues yesterday saying it will not create any constitutional crisis nor will it sap the spirit of the government.

They categorically said the upcoming general election will be held on schedule and in a free and fair manner.

They also hoped that the president will request their resigning colleagues to withdraw their resignation letters or will fill the vacant

posts soon by appointing others.

They said deploying the armed forces for domestic police work is within the jurisdiction of the president but not of the caretaker government, yet the president decided to deploy the armed forces after discussing the matter with the council of advisers.

Law Adviser Justice Fazlul Haque said, "If anyone wishes to quit for personal reasons no one can force them to stay."

He said to overcome the problem the president can request the resigning advisers to withdraw

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their resignations.

Fazlul Haque hinted that the general election is likely to be held on January 22 instead of January 23 as a religious festival is scheduled for the latter date.

He said the matter of deployment of the armed forces was discussed in detail in an advisory council meeting although it is not within the jurisdiction of the caretaker government.

The army had been deployed during the regimes of all previous caretaker governments, this year the deployment only came earlier, he added.

"The political crisis cannot be solved by staying outside the government. I think 99 percent of the problem was solved and only the matter of a person remains unresolved which can also be resolved through discussions by staying within the government," he added.

He requested his resigning colleagues to return to the cabinet.

Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Adviser M Azizul Haque said the resignations are not going to jeopardise democracy.

"The electoral process is on. The election has been rescheduled, the voter list is being updated, the Election Commission is working, and the political parties are helping the commission in the preparation," he said.

Information Adviser Mahbubul Alam said he does not no how to resolve the crisis as he is not the head of the state. He said the resignations of his colleagues are their personal matters.

Women and Children Affairs Adviser Yasmeen Murshed said, "Insha Allah (may Allah be willing) the election will be held on time despite the resignations."

She said the deployment of the armed forces was a routine matter.

She also said three previous caretaker governments held credible elections and the current government also must hold such an election.