The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

BNP Secretary General Khondokar Delwar Hossain yesterday alleged that the government has announced the election schedule for the local government with an ulterior motive and demanded its withdrawal immediately. Otherwise, the Election Commission (EC) will be responsible for any untoward situation in the country, he warned.

Addressing a view exchange meeting with the leaders of the Joypurhat BNP unit at his NAM-flat in the city, he said earlier the EC delimitated the constituencies unilaterally and now it is going to hold local government elections ignoring the major political parties. EC continued breaking of its oath by ignoring the rules, he maintained. Terming the local government election a "farce", he said People will not join such elections.

The schedule for the Aug 4 elections to four city corporations and nine municipalities, announced by chief election commissioner ATM Shamsul Huda on Friday, sparked protests from the two major political parties.

He expressed doubt about the holding of the national election saying the caretaker government did not hold it during the last one and a half years, as it has no intention to do it.

He demanded trial of politicians under the traditional laws for their alleged corruption and not under the emergency rules. They will not accept any verdict under the emergency rule, he added.

Only aim of the incumbent government is to make Bangladesh import based vassal state by giving up our oil and gas to the foreigners, according to him.

Delwar asked the party leaders to remain alert to what he said to a blueprint by the government to hold on to power.

He also called for the unconditional release of all political detainees including former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia and her two sons Tarique Rahman and Arafat Rahman Koko.

"The government is keen to send Khaleda Zia abroad, not her sons. She should not be sent abroad without them. She will receive treatment at home," Delwar said.

BNP Secretary General said that the Government is not sending Tarique and Koko abroad for better medical treatment in spite of medical board's suggestion.

He said there was no necessity of thinking about the election at the moment. Our only target is the release of our party's chairperson, he noted

President of BNP Joypurhat unit Mozahar Ali Prodhan made the welcome speech, while BNP Joyporhat unit leaders Moulana Ismail Hossain, Hamidul Haque, Adv Hena Kabir, Matiur Rahman, Adv Moksud, Jamser Alam, Adv Mizan, Ibrahim Fakir, Jubo Dal leader Sweet and Shuvra, Chhatra Dal leaders Gulzar Hossain, Alamgir Hossain and Saiful Islam Bullet, among others, addressed the meeting.