Khaleda urges to hold general polls within 90 days

Dhaka, Dec 19: Bangladesh former prime minister Khaleda Zia todayurged President Iajuddin Ahmed to hold the general elections withinstipulated 90 days to protect the country's independence andConstitution.

''Our single demand is that the elections must be held on schedulein accordance with the Constitution,'' she said while addressing agrand rally of the BNP-led four-party alliance at Paltan Maidan here.

The Election Commission has refixed the polling date on January22, next year, but Awami League president Sheikh Hasina's 14-partycombine and its like-minded Jatiya Party of ex-President HM Ershad andLDP of ex-President Prof Badruddoza Chowdhury insisted on deferring thepolls on the plea that a flawless electoral roll has not yet beenprepared.

Sheikh Hasina announced countrywide general strike on December 21,the last day for filing nomination papers by the candidates for theninth parliamentary polls.

''Deferring election beyond 90 days is not possible anyway. The elections must be held within 90 days,'' she said.

Khaleda Zia had a word on Sheikh Hasina's grand alliance floated through yesterday's grand rally here.

She said, ''Only increasing numbers in an alliance does not makegrand alliance. Strength of the people is indeed the great strength.''Amid thunderous claps and slogans, she said, ''People's strength ofpower will win while so-called grand alliance will suffer a defeat.''She said Sheikh Hasina's 14-party wanted to create a constitutionalcrisis and reminded her political foes that the election must be heldwithin the constitutionally sanctioned 90-tenure of the interimadministration.

Khaleda Zia alleged that her rivals were out to foil the electionson any plea and urged the people to get ready to participate in theelection.

She also called upon her 4-party leaders to go ahead with hastingsimmediately after celebrating the christmas, new year and Muslim'sreligious festival Eid-ul-zua.

''If you have the courage and confidence in people, do come andtake part in the elections. Whatever mandate the people give we'llaccept,'' she said.

UNI

Related Stories