BNP Vice-chairman Abdullah Al Noman has questioned the government's intentions to stage city corporation elections in Dhaka and Chittagong at a time when the party is agitating for a fresh general election.
Noman heads the election steering committee of the party-backed mayor candidate M Manjur Alam.
Speaking at a meeting of Chittagong City unit of the party's youth front Jatiyatabadi Juba Dal on Friday, he said the government was conducting the elections as part of a strategy to thwart BNP's agitations and to prolong its rule.
"But this strategy of the government will boomerang," Noman said. He said the party would strengthen its ongoing anti-government movement through the city polls.
"The people will express their no-confidence in the government through ballots if they are allowed to exercise their voting right in this election. "The BNP's ongoing movement will turn into a mass upsurge if the government rigs the election."
Noman said: "A level playing field has to be ensured for all (candidates)." "We're closely observing the activities of the Election Commission. We will be forced to decide otherwise unless they ensure a level playing field for all," he added.     ?bdnews24.com