The BNP is worried if their candidates contesting the Dhaka City Corporation polls would be allowed to carry out their election campaigns.
Sources said a delegation of BNP leaders might go to the Election Commission with a view to placing a number of demands, including a congenial environment for holding free and fair polls. They will also urge the EC to ensure that party leaders and activists can conduct their election campaigns without any hindrance.
On 25 March, Shato Nagorik Committee, a group of pro-BNP intellectuals, called on the chief election commissioner, Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmed, and placed a set of demands in this regard.
One of the BNP standing committee members said the BNP will contest the polls if the EC ensures that no party leaders and activists will be arrested.
However, inside BNP, there is apprehension that the EC might not keep their requests as it did not pay heed to Shato Nagorik’s request to defer the nomination filing date by two-three days.
If things do not look good, BNP might pull out of the elections, said the leader.
BNP sources said the meeting between Shato Nagorik and CEC left a number of party leaders offended, as they think it showed BNP’s ‘political bankruptcy’. This is another reason why BNP is thinking of sending a delegation to meet the EC.
Source: Prothom-Alo
