BNP will take part in the ensuing city corporation polls if a level playing filed is created for all, said party standing committee member Lt Gen (Retd) Mahbubur Rahman.
Talking to reporters after placing wreath at the mazar of party founder and late President Ziaur Rahman at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, he demanded the creation of a congenial atmosphere for the polls, carrying out election campaign and release of all political prisoners.A BNP delegation led by him placed wreath at Zia’s mazar on behalf of party chairperson Khaleda Zia to mark the Independence and National Day.
Earlier, the BNP delegation also placed wreath at the National Memorial, Savar to pay homage to the valiant sons of the soil who laid down their lives for the independence of the country.
The BNP leader hinted that the party may take part in the polls as part of movement strategy since movement and polls are complementary each other.
He said, many of our leaders are now in jails and many of them have gone into hiding. “We will take part in the election if a congenial environment for polls is created and party leaders and activists can carryout election campaign without any hindrance,” he added.
The former army boss said the priority should be given on holding a participatory election to protect the country’s democracy.
He said it is a challenge for the BNP to take the ongoing movement to a logical conclusion through the ongoing movement involving people with it.
Asked whether the movement would be postponed, he replied in the negative saying that there is no alternative to movement. “The movement is going on and it will continue,” he added.
The movement will only be postponed if an inclusive national election is held under a government acceptable to all, he said.
BNP standing committee member Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, vice chairman Altaf Hossain Chowdhury, BNP chairperson’s adviser Inam Ahmed Chowdhury, Barrister Shajahan Omar, Mostafizur Rahman Babul and Asadul Karim Shahin, among others, were present on the occasion. – Staff Reporter
