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AUG 4 POLLS

4-party won't take part if emergency , not withdrawn

Staff Correspondent
The BNP-led four-party alliance will not participate in the August 4 polls to city corporations and municipalities if the government does not meet its demands including withdrawal of the state of emergency.
“There's no question of legitimising the government by taking part in a farcical election." BNP Secretary General Khandaker Del war Hossain told reporters after a meeting of tlie alliance yesterday.
He reiterated the call for holding
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the parliamentary election first and asked the government to create an atmosphere conducive to five and fair polls by lifting die state of emergency and releasing all political leaders behind bars.
The meeting held at die Bandhara residence of Bangladesh Jatiya Party (BJP) Chairman Andaleeve Rahman Partho was presided over by Dehvar and attended by senior leaders of BNP Jamaat-e-lslami, BJP and Island Oikya lote.
Asked about the decision on local elections, the BJP chairman told The Daily Star last night that lifting emergency is a must tor any election to go ahead. -
"Why worn about participation of the political parties if die local body polls are non- political?" he questioned.
Queried what would be their final decision when the dosing date (July 3) for submitting nominations is approaching fast, the BNP secretary gcneralsaid. "We will consider contesting the polls only if our demands are met. and the time has notyet run out."
.Asked about the party leaders preparing for the local polls, he said. "It would be solely their responsibility if they choose to run for the polls while the partv would decide on its own whether to participate o r not"
Criticising Awami league (AL) for its decision to participate in die polls, Dehvar said. "It shows that the present government came to power with the continuance of Awami League.’
He said AL says it's joining the elections to restore democracy, but people know how it had destroyed
democracy after independence and also became party to a rigged election in 1986.
"Some countries and quarters who are die brains behind this government want it to stay longer in power, and they have chosen Awami league and some other parties to implement (heir plans,” he observed.
Addressing AL, he said. "Refrain from participating in die elections for temporary gains and at the expense of independence and sovereignty of the country"
Calling on the authorities to send BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia's detained sons larique Rahman and Arafat Rahman Koko abroad for treatment he said. "What they [government) are bargaining for anyway? BNP won't trade the interests of people for anything"
Delwar also demanded release of all political leaders and mentioned the names of Klialeda Zia, Motiur Rahman Nizami, Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Moudud Ahmed. Tariqul Islam and MKAnwar.
Moments afterwards, he said, "You [journalists) might ask me if I'm demanding release of corruptionists. No. we don’t want that And neither do we accept politically motivated trials under the emergency power rules."
The BNP secretary general said they would accept a judgment only if the case is tried by an independent court and the highest court upholds that decision.
The four-party alliance demanded cancellation of the polls schedule immediately after their announcement on June 20.