Khaleda Zia ‘appeared positive’ about the city corporation elections, pro-BNP academic Emajuddin Ahamed says after meeting her.
The former Dhaka University vice chancellor met the BNP chief at her Gulshan office on Friday evening where she has been staying since Jan 3.
“The BNP has always been an election-oriented party. I found her attitude positive,” he said responding to a question after the meeting.
The Election Commission has fixed Apr 28 for polls to three city corporations in Dhaka and Chittagong.
Several political parties have already finalised their candidates for the polls.
BNP Standing Committee Member Mahbubur Rahman has admitted that a faction of the party wanted to contest the city elections.
Emajuddin said, “BNP Standing Committee and the liaison committee of the 20-Party Alliance will take the final decision in a forum on elections to Dhaka and Chittagong cities.”
Gonoshasthaya Kendra founding trustee Zafrullah Chowdhury said the party will look forward to a proper environment for elections to the city corporations.
A nine-member team of professionals led by Emajuddin entered the office after members of Special Branch of police registered their names.
The team included pro-BNP civil society activist Mahfuzullah, journalist Abdul Hai Shikder, and professors Borhanuddin Khan, Obaidul Islam, Mamun Ahmed and Tahmina Akhter Tofy.
Asked what the party’s stance over its movement would be if it joined the elections, Emajuddin said the nature of the movement would change if the BNP and its allies decided to take part in the polls.
He said the BNP chief was worried over the ‘disappearance’ of Joint Secretary General Salahuddin Ahmed.
The polls to the three city corporations in Dhaka and Chittagong will be held on Apr 28.
The last date to submit nomination papers is Mar 29 and those will be scrutinised on Apr 1 and 2.
Candidates will be able to withdraw from the race until Apr 9.
The tenure of the last Dhaka City Corporation ended eight years ago. The city corporation was bifurcated later.
The polls to the Chittagong City Corporation is going to be held in time as its tenure ends in July.
Source: Bd news24
