AL changes stance, now calls for holding polls as per electoral roadmap

Changing its recent stance of having the next parliamentary election by June-July, the Awami League (AL) yesterday called upon the caretaker government to hold the polls as per the time stipulated in the electoral roadmap.
After a meeting with the visiting British Conservative Party MP Anne Main in the city, AL acting president Zillur Rahman said, "We have clearly said that we support the announced electoral roadmap. We have told her that the government can hold the election as per the roadmap."
Earlier on January 3, the AL at its presidium meeting demanded general elections by the middle of the year to hand over power to an elected government to resolve the prevailing crisis in the country.
But the next day the AL softened its stance and called upon the government to hold the polls earlier than the time stipulated in the roadmap "if possible".
Emerging from one and half-hour closed-door meeting at his Gulshan residence last night Zillur said, "The British MP has agreed to our demand for releasing the detained AL President Sheikh Hasina.
"They wanted to know different things and we have informed them what we could," said the acting AL chief, adding that the issue of strengthening bilateral relations also came up for discussion.
When asked for her comment on the country's politics and upcoming elections after the meeting Anne said, "It was merely a private visit."
AL leaders Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury, Amir Hossain Amu, Abdur Razzak, Tofail Ahmed, Suranjit Sengupta, Motia Chowdhury, Syed Ashraful Islam, Saber Hossain Chowdhury, Abul Mal Abdul Muhith, Abdul Mannan Khan and Sahara Khatun were present at the meeting.
Talking to the reporters, Motia said they have explained to the British MP AL's stand in the current situation.
Sources attending the meeting told The Daily Star that the AL has informed Anne that "false and fabricated" charges have been brought against Sheikh Hasina and she has been kept detained illegally to punish and disqualify her for the upcoming parliamentary elections.
AL senior leaders will sit this evening to review one-year of the caretaker government.