Both the parties formally expressed their views in favour of the election after holding meetings yesterday to discuss the latest political situation.

AL General Secretary Abdul Jalil appreciated the "role of the army" in reconstituting the caretaker government but the BNP did not make any comment on the issue.

The AL-led grand alliance also put forward a three-point demand--recasting the Election Commission, updating the voter roll, and depoliticisation of the administration. But the BNP decided to observe the formation of the interim government and its activities for a few days. The four-party alliance will hold a meeting soon to finalise its position on the new government.

BNP
The BNP National Standing Committee at a meeting hoped that necessary steps will be taken to hand over power to elected representatives as early as possible to end the state of emergency declared by the president as a "temporary action".

The highest policymaking forum of the BNP also urged the authorities not to harass or repress any citizen of the country.

"The expectations came after reviewing the ongoing events as well as the state of emergency imposed by the president following a few inept political parties' announcement of violent programmes, which could be the cause of the disruption of economic activities and security of public life and property," a press release said.

BNP Secretary General Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan read out the press release at a press briefing after the party standing committee meeting with Chairperson Khaleda Zia in the chair at Hawa Bhaban last night.

"The standing committee meeting discussed the latest political situation and all the members of the committee attended the meeting," he said.

The reporters, however, were not given any chance to ask questions.

According to party sources, the BNP-led four-party alliance will sit soon to finalise their strategy on the current political situation.

AL
The AL-led 14-party alliance demanded that the newly formed caretaker government act "accordingly" to hand over power to an elected government through holding a free and fair poll within a "certain period of time".

"We hope the new caretaker government will work for passing the people's power back to them by holding a free and fair election through reconstituting the Election Commission, preparing an accurate and correct voter list, and neutralising the administration," 14-party Coordinator Abdul Jalil said at a press briefing at the AL Dhanmondi office.

Asked to clarify what they mean by "certain period of time", Jalil said they are referring to constitutional provisions.

Prior to the briefing, the 14-party held a meeting to review the latest political developments and give the alliance's formal reaction on the state of emergency.

"We believe in the constitution, democracy, election and fundamental rights," Jalil said in his speech.

Terming Iajuddin's resignation from the post of chief adviser "people's victory", he said, "His [the president] speech has proved the legitimacy of our demonstrations."

AL Presidium member Abdur Razzak chaired the meeting.