Govt must hold parliamentary polls under neutral govt: BNP

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) senior leader Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain on Sunday said their party will take to the streets to force the government accept their demands for the next polls to be held under a neutral administration, if it does not reach an understanding in this connection.

“We will surely join the 11th parliamentary polls, but not under Sheikh Hasina. Our leader (Khaleda Zia) will unveil the election-time neutral government’s formula at a suitable time and then we’ll go to the people and also assess the government’s attitude,” Khandaker Mosharraf said.

Speaking at a discussion meeting, the BNP leader further said, “We believe the people will take to the streets to establish their rights. We’ll be there with the people and participate in the election, to restore their voting rights.”

BNP organised the programme at Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU), marking the 41st death anniversary of the national leader Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhasani, reports news agency UNB.

Mosharraf, a BNP standing committee member, further said Awami League will not be able to hang onto power further by deceiving the people through another one-sided election like that of 5 January 2014.

He urged BNP leaders and activists to get ready to take to the streets to force the government to hold the election under a neutral administration.

About the upcoming Rangpur city polls, the BNP leader said their party will join the election to observe the attitude of the government and the Election Commission (EC).

“The schedule for the Rangpur city polls has been announced. BNP will observe the polls attentively as it won’t be a test for political parties this time, but for the election commission and the government.”

Mosharraf also recalled the eventful political life of Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhasani and his immense contribution to the nation.