The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

BNP secretary general Khandaker Delwar Hossain Sunday said they were somewhat forced to take the decision for party registration with the election commission to "thwart the conspiracy" to keep BNP out of the election race.

"It has been noticed by all that a conspiracy is on to keep BNP out of the election. In the recent past, attempts were made to wedge a split in BNP, he told reporters at his NAM apartment.

Delwar said that to frustrate all these moves, they have taken the decision for registration, so the BNP loved by the people cannot be liquidated.

He, however, said that the party registration and the question of participation in the election are not the same thing.

"We'll go for registration, but the decision will have to be taken whether or not we'll participate in the election," he said, adding that the registration would qualify the party for election.

The BNP secretary general reiterated that BNP would not take part in any arranged elections. "We'll participate (in election) when we'll be convinced about free and fair election," he said.

Delwar said they want participation of all parties in the elections, particularly of the two leaders-Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina. "People won't accept the elections without Khaleda and Hasina's participation."

On the second round of dialogue with the caretaker government, he said they wanted to sit with the government before their registration, but has not yet received any response from the government side.

Delwar said that during their recent dialogue with the government, they had pointed out some inconsistent provisions in the registration rules but those were not removed.