AL ready for snap polls

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Special Correspondent :
The issue of snap polls is being discussed in the county’s political circle after the Chief Election Commissioner has expressed his ability to hold polls in a short notice.
Although the ruling Awami League did not say anything officially about holding snap polls, the latest statement of party’s general secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader cannot be ignored.
“AL is ready to join snap polls at any time. And we’re confident about Awami League’s victory in the next Parliamentary polls. If Prime Minister agrees, then we can take part,” Quader said on Friday after attending a joint meeting of party’s different associate bodies in the city’s Dhanmondi.
Interestingly, Obaidul Quader has echoed the CEC’s statement, nothing exceptional.
“We are ready, if the government wants to hold election but, the government
will take the decision first. It depends on the government whether they would hold election before the scheduled time,” CEC KM Nurul Huda recently said.
As per constitution, the next Parliamentary election is scheduled to be held early 2019.
Clarifying his party’s stance Obaidul Quader said, “It’s completely under the jurisdictions of PM Sheikh Hasina. But she has not yet made any comment on it. But we’re ready, even if the election is held next month.”
The main opposition BNP, however, still seems shaky about participating in the next polls as it attaches importance to the polls-time government excluding Hasina.
In this regard, BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia has reiterated her call to hold the next general elections under a neutral government to restore the voting rights of the people.
 “There will be no election under a political government. The government must try to understand the pulse of the people. An impartial poll is not possible under a political government. And it’s certainly not possible under the Sheikh Hasina administration,” she said while addressing a mammoth rally at Suhrawardy Udyan on November 11.
Other BNP leaders have said the party would take part in the next parliamentary election despite all odds because of the recent upsurge in popularity the party.
“We will take part in the election this time. Khaleda Zia will create such a mass upsurge that the government will be compelled to reach a consensus with the BNP,” senior party leader Moudud Ahmed has said recently.
There is widespread speculation that the ruling Awami League government will take tough stance soon after the relevant courts announce verdicts in the cases against BNP Chief Khaleda Zia and her son party’s senior vice chairman Tarique Rahman. Party insiders said the Awami League will not spoil any chance to win in the next 11th parliamentary elections.
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