Keeping BNP out of poll race not so easy: Fakhrul
UNB
BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir yersterday warned that it will not be easy for Awami League this time to hold a unilateral election keeping BNP out of the race, reports UNB. Talking to reporters at BNPs Nayapaltan central office, he also said BNP will not join the next general election if a level-playing field is not created and the democratic space is not ensured by the government.
Were not concerned over the cancellation of registration (of our party). They (govt) can try to hold the election without BNP if they want to do so. But its not so easy now to do that. They still did not get the legitimacy of the polls they held earlier without BNPs participation. Every country, even India, thinks it was not a legitimate election, Fakhrul said.
The BNP leader said their party is preparing an election-time supportive government framework incorporating the opinions of people of all walks of life. Well place it before the nation soon.
In working out the framework, he said they are giving mainly focus on how to ensure an inclusive and neutral election in a congenial atmosphere so that the voters can exercise their franchise without any fear and favour.
Fakhrul said their party has long been saying that it will join the election if a proper environment and ground is ensured as Awami League has destroyed the election system intentionally to cement one-party rule. The election must be held under a neutral administration and impartial Election Commission.
Replying to a question, he said, Its the governments responsibility to create a proper ground for polls. Theres now no democratic space while our thousands of leaders and activists are in jail and thousands others are facing political cases. Under the circumstances, its not possible for a political party like us to go to polls.
About the public sufferings caused by water-logging in Dhaka and Chittagong following a moderate rain, the BNP leader said the government could not solve the problem for lack of a master plan.
Corruption is another reason. Projects are being taken to carry out development works, but money is being embezzled without properly implementing those.
He alleged that the government is least bothered about the sufferings of flood-affected people in haor areas as it does not represent them.
The government should announce haor areas as disaster ones and take effective initiative to tackle the situation and assuage sufferings of the victims.
