August 23, 2002	Friday	Jamadi-us-Saani 13,1423

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HYDERABAD, Aug 22: The deputy convener of Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s coordination committee, Aftab Ahmad Sheikh, on Thursday hinted at the possibility of boycotting the October elections in case hurdles were created in the way of the party.

Talking to a group of newsmen after obtaining nomination form for NA-219, Sheikh, however, said the MQM had not still decided to boycott the polls.

However, he did not altogether rule out the possibility of boycotting the polls in case his party was not allowed to enter certain areas where, according to him, the MQM had 12 to 15 provincial assembly and six to seven National assembly seats.

“What will be the use of any such election when we are denied permission to contact our voters and attempts are made to forcibly prevent the MQM from winning some seats,” Sheikh said.

He, however, added his party was making full preparations to contest the polls.

He said his party had already brought its complaints with regard to the existence of “no-go areas” on record and it was up to the authorities concerned to take notice of it.