Agitation and fighting city polls simultaneously: BNP

The BNP says that it will continue with its agitation for a snap poll, even as some of its leaders have collected nomination forms for the upcoming Dhaka and Chittagong City Corporation elections.

“The BNP believes in elections...If a level-playing field is created for the Dhaka and Chittagong city polls then the BNP will definitely take part,” senior BNP leader Mahbubur Rahman said on Thursday.

Speaking to reporters after paying homage at the National Memorial, he demanded release of BNP leaders and activists jailed in “false cases”.

“We believe that election and movement is complementary to each other. Both will continue simultaneously,” said Rahman, a member of the party's National Standing Committee.

On top of a non-stop transport blockade from Jan 5, the BNP-led coalition had been calling for shutdowns since the beginning of February except for the weekends.

Statements attributed to the BNP from undisclosed locations had been calling for shutdowns from Sunday to Tuesday morning and later extended it until Friday morning.

The last statement on Tuesday, however, did not mention anything about a shutdown, but announced blockade and processions.

Several senior BNP leaders told bdnews24.com that the countrywide blockade of roads, rail and waterways continues.

The party, however, is yet to formally announce its stance over the Apr 28 city polls.

Nominations were collected on Wednesday for the mayor races in Dhaka on behalf of BNP chief’s advisor Abdul Awal Mintoo and BNP Dhaka metropolitan unit leader Abdus Salam.

There are speculations that BNP will back Mayor M Manjur Alam for the polls in the port city.