Only pro-govt parties contesting ‍‍`stage-managed‍‍` election: BNP

BNP senior leader Nazrul Islam Khan on Sunday claimed that no political party, except the pro-government ones, is contesting the upcoming ‍‍`stage-managed‍‍` election.

Speaking at a discussion, he said their party will continue their movement without making any compromise on the question of democracy and people’s right to vote.

"A game is going on in the name of elections...Who will contest the elections? No party, except pro-government ones, is participating in this election,” the BNP leader said.

Nazrul, a BNP standing committee member, said the candidates of the 12 parliamentary polls belong either to the ruling party or the 14-party alliance, the grand coalition and other political parties formed by the government.

“So, it’s surprising to me that law enforcers and government officials are being sent from village to village for such polls unnecessarily. What will they do?” he said.

The BNP leader also questioned as to why the government is spending Tk2,000 crores for holding a stage-managed election when many poor people are starving and going through suffering in the country.

Sammalita Peshajibi Parishad organised the discussion titled “Shaheed Zia, Liberation War and Current Context” at the Jatiya Press Club, marking the Great Victory Day.

Referring to a minister’s comment that jailed BNP leaders were offered to be freed if they participated in the January 7 national election, Nazrul said their party will never take part in a game in the name of polls.

He said, "We have said it before and we will say the same thing in the future that there is no room for compromise on the question of democracy, people’s voting rights and governance. We will do what people support.”

He called upon the government to step down and take steps to hold a credible and inclusive election under a non-party-neutral administration. “Those whom the people vote for will be elected and run the state.”

Or else, Nazrul said they will continue their movement until democracy is restored in the country.