AL does not believe in nat'l consensus govt

Awami League (AL) acting President Zillur Rahman yesterday said categorically that AL does not believe in the concept of a national consensus government as that cannot be a principle in governing the country.
While speaking to reporters at his Gulshan residence in the capital Zillur said, "We don't believe in the concept of such a government and a general election is the only way to hand over power peacefully."
The AL presidium member said there could be consensus on different national issues with other political parties, but that would be after the polls. He cited the AL government of 1996-2001 as an example.
Zillur said the announced electoral roadmap might be hampered if the Election Commission announces the election date after seven months. He demanded that the government hold the next election at any time between April to June.
There is no alternative to holding polls as early as possible, he said.
Meanwhile, key leaders of AL's six divisional headquarters and president and general secretary of US unit of Bangabandhu Foundation, Sajeeb Wazed Joy and M Fazlur Rahman, yesterday demanded Sheikh Hasina's immediate release.