United movement of AL and BNP can be launched in Bangladesh

Dhaka, Sep 29 (UNI) Awami League plans to launch a united movement with Bangladeshi Nationalist Party here after discussing the similarity in principle between the two parties.

United movement was possible only if there there was similarity in ideology and principle, The News Today quoted acting AL president Zillur Rahman as saying.

Mr Rahman was speaking on the occasion of Sheikh Hasina's 61st birthday.

Party leaders, workers, supporters and admirers made her birthday a low-key affair as she has been detained in an extortion case. She was arrested from her Sudha Sadan residence on July 16.

The party held Milad Mahfil and Doa at its office seeking divine blessings for her long life and immediate release.

Mr Rahman, on the occasion, demanded the release of Sheikh Hasina before Eid-ul-Fitr. He also demanded withdrawal of the state of emergency as soon as possible, the newspaper reported.

Responding to BNP leader Brig Gen (retd) Hannan Shah's demand for the release of two former Prime Ministers -- Khaleda and Hasina, Zillur -- said his party was against all ''illegal arrests'' but he was not aware as to why Begum Zia was arrested.

The party workers gifted flowers, shari, cake and iftar items to Sheikh Hasina through jail officials.

A group of children of Bangabandhu Shisu Kishore Mela, sang songs to greet her.

Hasina hoped she would be freed soon and requested the countrymen to pray for her early release.

UNI