Dhaka, Nov 27 – The BNP sees High Court order banning participation of convicts sentenced to over two years even if an appeal is pending as a reflection of government desires in to foil the elections and resist the party.
“We think the order has reflected the desires and aspirations of the government to foil the elections and resist the BNP and Jatiya Oikyafront and deprive the people of their rights,” said BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir at a press conference at chairperson’s political office in Gulshan.
His comments came as party reaction on the HC observation that a convict sentenced to more than two years in jail cannot contest the election, even if an appeal is pending.
The HC gave the observation rejecting separate petitions for staying convictions of five BNP leaders including its jailed chairperson Khaleda Zia.
The observation would block the participation of the former premier who was supposed to contest from three constituencies. The other four convicts BNP leaders whose participation in the elections are almost uncertain are Amanullah Aman, AZM Zahid Hossain, Wadud Bhuiyan,
Moshiur Rahman and Md Abdul Wahab.
Mirza Alamgir said the HC observation created raised many questions among the people.
“Yet another order has been given just ahead of the elections that the deshnetri (the leader of the country) cannot take part in the elections…It is not acceptable to the people in anyway,” he said.
The BNP leader protested the order saying that the people won’t accept the order.
BNP standing committee member Barrister Moudud Ahmed, however, told the media that Khaleda Zia would be able to take part in the elections as her appeal has not been disposed of finally.
He also mentioned that there is precedence of remaining parliament memberships by filing an appeal by convicts.
Meanwhile, party leaders said that the BNP kept ready its alternative candidates if its chairperson and convicts leaders cannot take part in the polls on legal grounds.
BNP vice-chairman Abdul Awal Mintoo is likely to contest the election from Feni-1, AKM Mahbubor Rahman from Bogura-6 and Morshed Milton from Bogura-7 constituency if the chairperson cannot participate in the polls. – Staff Reporter
