If it wins the August 21 by-election, the AL will ask the government to step down in order to pave the way for midterm elections.

To that effect, AL has already formed 21 teams comprising party lawmakers and senior leaders. Starting from August 3, the teams will visit 21 unions in the Netrokona constituency to campaign for the AL candidate. AL presidium member Abdus Samad Azad will lead the first team to Netrokona on Sunday, sources said.

The AL held a meeting yesterday at its office where MPs elected from the greater Mymensingh district, candidates in the 2001 general election and local leaders were present. Chaired by AL General Secretary Abdul Jalil, the meeting asked all leaders and activists of greater Mymensingh district to campaign together for the party candidate in the by-polls.

Earlier on Thursday, a seven-member team led by AL presidium member Kazi Zafarullah visited the Netrokona-3 constituency. The team will submit a report on the upcoming by-polls.