Dhaka – BNP on Monday criticised Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader for voicing ‘doubts’ about the success of the party’s dialogue with the President on formation of the Election Commission (EC), saying his comment is unfortunate.
Speaking at a press briefing at the party’s Nayapaltan central office, BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi feared that whether a free and fair election will be held in Narayanganj City Corporation (NCC) on December 22.
“His (Quader’s) remarks have now raised our doubt about the government’s intention. What do they exactly want? The President himself appreciated our chairperson’s proposal on the Election Commission and said it was a good and constructive initiative,” Rizvi said.
An 11-member BNP delegation had a meeting with President Abdul Hamid at Bangabhaban on Sunday as the President formally initiated talks with political parties over formation of the next EC.
At the meeting, the BNP chairperson presented the President her 13-point proposal on constituting a stronger EC.
Giving his party’s reaction to the meeting, Quader on Sunday evening said BNP’s discussion with Abdul Hamid will be fruitless if the party continues to show a rigid attitude.
Opposing the ruling party secretary general’s comment, Rizvi said, they saw a ray of hope in these dark days of democracy through the talks with the President. “He (Quader) has doubt about our stance. But in our proposal we didn’t say the search committee or the EC will have to be formed with pro-BNP people. We’ve suggested forming the Commission based-on all party’s opinions.”
The BNP leader also said an acceptable search committee and a strong EC will be possible to constitute if the ruling party comes up with its good will and sincerity.
He also warned that Awami leaders’ image will be dented to people if they express doubt about BNP’s efforts.
About NCC polls, Rizvi said a good number of the ruling party ‘cadres’ are going to Narayanganj from different places ahead of the election as a mass wave has been created in favour of BNP’s mayoral candidate Shakhawat Hossain Khan.
He said their party now fears whether Awami League resorts to vote rigging and election manipulation to ensure their candidate’s victory as they did during other polls in the past.
The BNP leader alleged though most polling stations in the NCC are vulnerable, the administration and the Election Commission are not taking any visible step to ensure the security of voters and a fair election. -UNB
