Leaders of Jamaat-e-Islami, a partner of the BNP-led four-party alliance, said the caretaker government should enforce its maximum capacity of the state-mechanism if anyone tries to resist the January 22 parliamentary election.

Addressing a press briefing yesterday evening at Hawa Bhaban, office of the BNP Chairperson, Mannan Bhuiyan urged the Awami League (AL)-led 14-party alliance to reconsider their decision and participate in the election.

"The 14-party will be responsible if the election and democratic process are hampered or any constitutional crisis is created due to their election boycott," he said, adding that they (AL-led alliance) made the nation frustrated through their decision to boycott the election.

The four-party alliance will decide later whether they would participate in the election under the umbrella of the four-party alliance or individually if the AL-led alliance does not take part in election, he said.

"Any initiative could be taken but the election must be held according to the schedule," he said when a reporter asked him if they have made any request to the caretaker government to take necessary steps to resolve the ongoing crisis.

"The only duty of the caretaker government is to help the Election Commission to hold an election and the election must be held with the participation of those who want to take part in election," he said.

When asked about the acceptability of the election without participation of the AL-led alliance, he said, "There is no alternative to hold the election and it must be held timely."

"It will be decided later," he said when a reporter asked him about the possible opposition in next parliament if the AL-led alliance does not take part in election.

Criticising the Awami League for their memorandum of understanding with Khelafat Mojlish, he said, "They [Awami League] are boycotting the election by showing a few excuses as Ershad is a liability for them. They also did an offence by signing the memorandum with Shaikhul Hadith."

Mannan Bhuiyan said this is unfortunate and regrettable because the caretaker government already met all the demands of them.

"Any political party can join or boycott the election but they cannot create any obstacle in the election process," he said.

On AL's demand for the resignation of President Iajuddin Ahmed from the post of chief adviser, he said, "To whom he will hand over the power? It is a resolved issue but the 14-party raised it again only to avoid the election."

"The Election Commission has already changed the election schedule four times and it will be tough to hold election timely if the schedule is changed again," he said on the demand to announce the fresh election schedule.

Terming Jatiya Party Chairman HM Ershad a 'most corrupt', he said nobody interfered in the court procedure and the court will take decision in this regard.

"He [Ershad] could take part in the election only if the law allows," he said on the demand to allow Ershad to participate in the election.

"They [14-party] have announced to boycott the election due to the cancellation of Ershad's nomination and a few parties who earlier told against corruption are now threatening to build up movement only to save a corrupt person," he said.

Rapid Action Battaluion (Rab) and police did not harass anyone politically and the law and order situation will deteriorate if Rab and police are made inactive, Mannan Bhuiyan said.

BNP Joint Secretary General Nazrul Islam Khan and BNP chairperson's Poitical Secretary Harris Chowdhury were also present during the briefing.

JAMAAT'S REACTION

The caretaker government should enforce its maximum capacity of the state-mechanism if anyone tries to resist the January 22 election, leaders of Jamaat-e Islami said hours after Awami League-led grand alliance's declaration not to contest the upcoming election.

At a press briefing at its Maghbazar office yesterday, the Jamaat leaders also expressed their optimism that the diplomats and foreign missions would support the to-be-held election even if Awami League and its allies do not take part.

When asked if they would contest in the election separately in absence of the AL-led grand alliance, Jamaat Secretary General Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mujahid did not make any comment.

He, however, said his party has filed nominations in around 150 constituencies across the country.

Asked if the foreign missions would acknowledge the election in the present condition, Mujahid said, "As the country is ours, it does not matter whether they [foreign missions] accept the election or not."

"If they believe in our democracy and acknowledge our sovereignty, they should support the election even if some party do not contest," he added.

About the election boycott by AL and its allies, the Jamaat leader said, "The grand alliance have all the right not to participate in the election, but they do not have any right to resist our participation."

It does not matter if the Awami League participates or not as around 11 more parties would contest in the election, he said, adding, "The caretaker government should apply all its power if anyone tries to resist the election."

Asked if the next election will borrow the same fate as that of the February 15, 1996 election, Mujahid said they firmly believe that the coming election will be a free and fair one and it will not be a repetition of the February, 1996 election.

"They [AL-led alliance] may have daydreams expecting that the election will be cancelled, but it will not happen," the Jamaat leader said.

Party's Nayeb-e Amir Mokbul Ahmed, assistant secretary generals Abdul Kader and ATM Mazharul Islam and Publicity Secretary Tasnim Alam were also present in the briefing.