Dhaka, March 13 -- The Ganatantrik Jukto Front has demanded the immediate removal of Jamaat-e-Islami Nayeb-e-Amir ATM Azharul Islam from the presidium, a panel of five members nominated on Thursday to conduct parliamentary sessions in the absence of the speaker and deputy speaker in the 13th parliament.

In a statement issued Friday, the political alliance also called for the withdrawal of the names of convicted 1971 war criminals from the condolence motion adopted during the parliament's first session on the same day.

The coalition also described the inclusion of Azharul in the presidium as an "insult to the martyrs" and the dignity of the House.

While Azharul was acquitted by the Appellate Division during the interim government's tenu...