The New Nation - Internet Edition

Rafiqul Islam Azad

The BNP-led four-party alliance is likely to hold a meeting tomorrow to discuss their participation in the forthcoming general polls dated for December 18 and expansion of the alliance to face the grand alliance led by Awami League.

The secretaries general level meeting is expected to be held at BNP Secretary General Khondoker Delwar Hossain’s NAM flat residence in the city.

A senior BNP leader told The New Nation that the meeting will formally decide whether the alliance would take part in the coming parliamentary polls and discuss the necessity of expansion of the alliance further.

The BNP and its allies welcomed the Chief Adviser’s address to the nation declaring the date for parliamentary elections, but they are yet to take a decision if they are going to the December 18 polls.

Echoing the Awami League leaders, BNP leaders Saifur Rahman and MK Anwar recently told reporters they are ready to go to the polls.

However, BNP Secretary General Khondoker Delwar Hossain did not own their statements terming those as personal opinions. He further said, the decision if the alliance would take part in the elections would be taken after discussing with alliance leaders.

On the other hand, Khondoker Delwar Hossain on Thursday alleged that the level paying field for the participation of all political party had yet to be created.

Sources, however, said that the BNP and its allies are ready to go to the polls but they are per suing tactics to keep the Caretaker Government in pressure by not declaring their position so early.

After her release, BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia has stated that they are ready to go for dialogue and elections if a congenial atmosphere is created.

Leaders and activists of the four-party alliance hoped that the alliance leaders would take a decision in this regard soon so that they can take preparations for the polls.