EC unable to go beyond govt instructions: BNP

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Wednesday urged the government to take steps for finding out an effective way for holding a fair and acceptable election through discussions with opposition political parties, reports UNB.

Speaking at a protest rally, he alleged that the government is trying to keep top BNP leaders away from politics ahead of the next general election through convicting them in 'false' cases filed against them.

"We would like to call upon the government to do positive politics for the welfare of people coming out of negative politics. Engage in talks to work out a way for a credible election where people will be able to exercise their franchise," said the BNP leader.

"Come to senses and take steps for the talks with the opposition parties to protect democracy, Bangladesh, and its future and ensure its economic progress," he further said.

Dhaka south city unit BNP arranged the programme at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh as part of the party's countrywide protest programme against the issuance of a warrant for the arrest of its senior vice chairman Tarique Rahman in a sedition case.

The BNP leader alleged that the government is desperately making various evil efforts to hang onto power as it has lost earth beneath its feet.

Fakhrul voiced doubt whether the election commission will be able to hold a reliable and acceptable election following its talks with political parties and different stakeholders.

"The nearly three-month dialogue of the election commission is mere eyewash... most of the parties, civil society members and ex-election commissioners joined the dialogue said a credible election is not possible if it is not held under an election-time neutral administration. Now the nation is waiting to see what it (EC) does?" he said.

The BNP leader thinks the commission will not be able to do anything good as it has no capability to work ignoring the government's instructions. "Even, after that we're observing their activities to know whether they can hold a fair election. We want the commission to work independently to hold a neutral election."

He said the current government has failed to deliver on all fronts though it always talks about huge development.

"The mega projects were taken for massive plundering. Most of the roads have now become unfit for traffic."

Fakhrul criticised the government for what he said its failure to arrest the soaring prices of essentials. "The prices of all types of vegetables have gone beyond the buying capacity of common people. The government is hiking the tariffs of gas, power and water to make their pocket heavier. History says people won't tolerate such sufferings for a long time. You won't be able to resist them even with cannons when people will wake up."