Workers Party of Bangladesh yesterday strongly criticised the caretaker government for promulgation of the Upazila Parishad ordinance and its move to hold the local government elections hurriedly.

These actions of the caretaker government are aimed at depoliti-cising the local government institutions and having the people of their choice elected, the party leaders said at its politburo meeting in the city.

The meeting, presided over by party President Rashed Khan Menon, also called on the government to hold the national election before any other elections so that parliament can discuss the issue of the local government election and take decisions accordingly.

The leaders said some provisions in the upazila ordinance -- such as barring the teachers from standing in the elections, not allowing the upazila chairman to hold any post in a political party -- are not only undemocratic but also inconsistent with the constitution.

The Workers' Party will stage token hunger strikes across the country today protesting fuel price hike and demanding introduction of food rationing system.

Party General Secretary Bimal Biswas, Nurul Hasan, Fazle Hossain Badsha, Anisur Rahman Mallik, shafiuddin Mallik, Ikbal Kabir Zahid, Azizur Rahman Bhuiyan and Nur Ahmed Bakul were present at the meeting.