14-party men to use 'Nagorik Committee' banner in polls
The 14-party alliance led by Awami League (AL) might field candidates under the banner of "Nagorik Committee" to contest the forthcoming elections in a number of city corporations and municipalities.
Acting AL President Zillur Rahman spoke about this possibility yesterday, a day after his party decided to go for the much-debated local polls scheduled for August in four city corporations and nine municipalities.
But, the central body of the alliance would not nominate any candidate for the local elections being held under the interim regime.
The candidature will be finalised at the grassroots levels, but in case of any dispute regarding candidature, the centre may intervene, he said.
Zillur was replying to questions from journalists at his Gulshan home in the afternoon when a delegation of Bangladesh Garment Workers Unity Council (BGWUC) came to meet him.
"The 14-party alliance will not nominate anybody from the centre, nor will it support anyone. But, if several persons stand for the candidature from the alliance in one area, then the centre may intervene to decide what will be the best. But 14-party candidates may contest under the banner of Nagorik Committee," he said.
Asked about their position on the upazila election, which the caretaker government is going to hold before parliamentary elections, Zillur said decision in this regard would be made later on considering the time and the situation.
Journalists also sought his reaction about the news reports that one member of the AL working committee during its meeting had said that Sheikh Hasina had been released and sent abroad following secret agreement with the government.
Zillur said such report was not true as none of the AL working committee members talked in such a way.
The BGWUC leaders informed him about their several demands, including an increase in their salaries, 50 percent dearness allowance and transport facilities.
Zillur assured the labour leaders that the AL would provide all necessary assistance to them in realising their demands.
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