The Awami League Central Working Committee yesterday vowed to hold the upcoming 10th parliamentary election on January 5 and they would not accept any shift from the schedule announced by the Election Commission.
Against the backdrop of HM Ershad’s announcement of boycotting the polls, ruling AL’s highest decision-making body yesterday sat in an emergency meeting at the prime minister’s official residence Ganabhaban. AL President Sheikh Hasina presided over the closed-door meeting that lasted for over three hours.
The committee members unanimously decided that they would not accept any deviation from the announced election schedule and suggested that the government take necessary steps to ensure it, several meeting insiders told the Dhaka Tribune.
“Without mentioning the opposition leader’s name, the prime minster in her speech hinted that the government may even arrest Khaleda Zia, if needed,” said a central leader on condition of anonymity.
Two other party leaders also confirmed her remark.
Earlier, at another meeting with National Defence College delegation, she asked the army to remain alert for any situation.
The meeting insiders said the prime minister also told party leaders not to take the upcoming polls lightly. She firmly said the polls date would not be deferred.
“She [Hasina] said the election will be held on time at any cost and she told the leaders to ensure maximum number of voter turnout in the election,” said a leader adding that Hasina also directed the party candidates to stay in their respective constituencies from now on.
According to meeting sources, the meeting did not widely discuss Ershad’s announcement of boycotting the polls.
About Ershad’s dramatic shift, AL General Secretary Syed Ashraful Islam told the meeting that there was no time to have a look who was participating in the election and who not, said the meeting sources.
“Syed Ashraf also said few people are thinking that the prime minister will quit her post or her power will be curtailed. These remarks will not bring any benefit. According to the constitution the election must be held on time under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina,” said a meeting source. Referring to the 1986, ‘88 and ‘96 national elections, Ashraf said there was no problem over holding the upcoming polls.
The sources also said Hasina told the party leaders that the recent violence and attacks had taken place in the areas where the party’s organisational strength was weak, and asked them to strengthen the party to prevent the opposition’s subversive activities.
Citing an example, the party chief said the situation in Satkania of Chittagong came under control as the district leaders were organised.
Sources said a committee member suggested that the party leaders to get information whether Jamaat-e-Islami and its student wing Islami Chhatra Shibir men at student dormitories and messes were planning further subversive activities.
After the meeting, Ashraf told journalists: “Awami League will participate in the election overcoming all hurdles. It will not accept any deviation from the election schedule.”
He said the polls could not be foiled by carrying out secret attacks.
When the journalists asked about the Ershad’s latest dramatic shift, the AL general secretary only said: “Wait and see what happens.”
