BNP-led four-party alliance issued a 48-hour ultimatum to
the caretaker government to meet its four-point demand in order to make way for
its participation in the upcoming general election.
The four demands, cut short from the alliance's earlier seven-point demand, are
total lifting of the state of emergency, suspension of some 'objectionable'
clauses in the amended Representation of the People Order (RPO) including
repeal of clause 91(e), deferring the December 28 upazila elections till one
month from the parliamentary poll, and rescheduling of the polls ensuring that
the hajis will get to cast their votes.
"BNP and the four-party alliance are declaring that they will contest in
the upcoming elections if the government meets this four-point demand within
the next 48 hours," said BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia at a news briefing in
her Gulshan office around 9:00pm.
"If they don't meet the demands within the next 48 hours, and if the
elections become uncertain due to that, then the government and the Election
Commission have bear total responsibility," Khaleda warned.
The last hajj flight however is due to return on January 12, according to
Bangladesh Biman Managing Director Air Commodore (retd) Zahed Kuddus.
The former prime minister specifically demanded repeal of the clause 91(e) of
RPO, which empowers the Election Commission (EC) to cancel candidacies during
elections based on complaints.