AL, BNP in verbal spats over polls

The Awami League (AL) and the BNP have become involved in a verbal tug-of-war centering the next general election, which is likely to be held by the end of this year. The BNP demands a national consensus for resolving the current political crisis before the next parliamentary polls. But the AL denies the existence of any such crisis and claims that the election would be held in due time in keeping with the constitutional guidelines.      

Besides, the BNP has been saying that it would not join any election if they are held under the Sheikh Hasina-led administration. However, the ruling party is sticking to its guns that the next polls too would be held under Hasina-led administration, just like the previous general election in 2014.

Earlier, BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia was sentenced to five years in jail in a graft case. This has sharpened the enmity between the two rival camps.

The conviction has cast doubts if Khaleda, a three-time prime minister, would be allowed to even participate in the next polls.

On Saturday, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir underscored the need for a national consensus to resolve the current political crisis. “We should reach a consensus to restore democracy by holding the next polls under a neutral administration. And a national consensus is needed for this purpose,” he said.

Talking to this correspondent about the issue, AL presidium member Mohammad Nasim denied the existence of any political crisis.

The next elections would be held in line with the constitutional guidelines, he said. “The country is moving forward under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina. Bangladesh has already graduated into a developing country. The government is working towards elevating the country to the status of a developed nation by 2041,” he added.

AL Joint General Secretary Mahbubul Alam Hanif said: “Even though the BNP is calling for a movement to release its convicted chief, the people, including party leaders, aren't keen to join them. So, it's clear that the BNP itself is in crisis. There is no crisis in the country; everything's going well.”

BNP leaders, on their part, allege that the government is planning to hold a one-sided

election by keeping party chief Khaleda Zia behind the bar. But AL leaders maintain that there is no relation between Khaleda Zia’s conviction and the next general elections.  

When asked, AL general secretary Obaidul Quader said the BNP was responsible for unopposed elected members in the current Parliament. “This time again, the BNP is trying to set a trap for the AL, but it’s not going to work as many political parties are waiting to participate in the next polls,” he added.

“The BNP boycotted the last parliamentary elections, but there was no crisis surrounding the legitimacy of the polls. There won’t be anything amiss this time as well,” he said while talking to the reporters after attending an Iftar party in the city yesterday.

 

AL, BNP in verbal spats over polls

The Awami League (AL) and the BNP have become involved in a verbal tug-of-war centering the next general election, which is likely to be held by the end of this year. The BNP demands a national consensus for resolving the current political crisis before the next parliamentary polls. But the AL denies the existence of any such crisis and claims that the election would be held in due time in keeping with the constitutional guidelines. Besides, the BNP has been saying that it would not join any election if they are held under the Sheikh Hasina-led administration. However, the ruling party is sticking to its guns that the next polls too would be held under Hasina-led administration, just like the previous general election in 2014. Earlier, BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia was sentenced to five years in jail in a graft case. This has sharpened the enmity between the two rival camps. The conviction has cast doubts if Khaleda, a three-time prime minister, would be allowed to even participate in the next polls. On Saturday, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir underscored the need for a national consensus to resolve the current political crisis. We should reach a consensus to restore democracy by holding the next polls under a neutral administration. And a national consensus is needed for this purpose, he said. Talking to this correspondent about the issue, AL presidium member Mohammad Nasim denied the existence of any political crisis. The next elections would be held in line with the constitutional guidelines, he said. The country is moving forward under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina. Bangladesh has already graduated into a developing country. The government is working towards elevating the country to the status of a developed nation by 2041, he added. AL Joint General Secretary Mahbubul Alam Hanif said: Even though the BNP is calling for a movement to release its convicted chief, the people, including party leaders, arent keen to join them. So, its clear that the BNP itself is in crisis. There is no crisis in the country; everythings going well. BNP leaders, on their part, allege that the government is planning to hold a one-sided election by keeping party chief Khaleda Zia behind the bar. But AL leaders maintain that there is no relation between Khaleda Zias conviction and the next general elections. When asked, AL general secretary Obaidul Quader said the BNP was responsible for unopposed elected members in the current Parliament. This time again, the BNP is trying to set a trap for the AL, but its not going to work as many political parties are waiting to participate in the next polls, he added. The BNP boycotted the last parliamentary elections, but there was no crisis surrounding the legitimacy of the polls. There wont be anything amiss this time as well, he said while talking to the reporters after attending an Iftar party in the city yesterday.