AL's quest for fresh electoral alliance

Awami League (AL) will seek to form a fresh grand electoral alliance with like-minded parties for contesting the next general election, acting AL President Zillur Rahman said yesterday.
"We will start talks with components of the 14-party combine this Sunday and we will act to form a grand electoral alliance with like minded political parties and pro-liberation forces," Zillur said.
The acting AL chief was talking to reporters when leaders of Krishak League, Faridpur district unit, and Bangabandhu Sangskritik Jote met him at his Gulshan residence in the capital.
"You [leaders] should forget any differences among yourselves and be united at any cost. If we live we will live altogether and if we die we will die altogether," he said.
"None, even the present government, cannot hand over power without holding election. So, election must have to be held," said the AL leader.
Echoing AL President Sheikh Hasina's views, Zillur said, "I urge both the caretaker government and the Election Commission (EC) to hold the election in March-April.
Then all crises will be resolved."
"The government and the Election Commission are pledge-bound to hold the election by December as per the announced electoral roadmap ," Zillur said.
He posed a question how election could be held in December if the EC announces poll date in September. Implementation of the announced electoral roadmap would be hampered if election date is announced after seven months from now, he said.
On the High Court judgement in extortion case against Hasina, he said they got justice. And he hoped that they would also get justice from the Supreme Court in the appeal filed by the government against the HC judgement.
At the programme, AL Organising Secretary Abdul Mannan urged the government to hand over power as early as possible by holding a free and fair election.
AL central leader Dr Abdur Razzak said they would not accept any extra-constitutional government including a national consensus government instead of an elected one.
Krishak League President Mirza MA Jalil demanded immediate and unconditional release of Hasina. General Secretary Motahar Mollah also spoke.
Later, Advocate Tarana Halim and other leaders of Bangabandhu Sangskritik Jote met Zillur.