BNP mocks BGB deployment for Narayanganj City polls as 'hilarious'

The BNP, which had been demanding troops for the Narayanganj City polls, has rubbished the decision to deploy border guards as 'hilarious'.

"We came to know the BGB (Border Guards Bangladesh) has been deployed as strike force. I find it hilarious," the party's mayor candidate Shakhawat Hossain Khan told the media on Monday while campaigning.

Narayanganj goes to polls on Dec 22 and the BGB is scheduled to be deployed on Monday.

"What does a strike force mean? They will rush to wherever an incident happens without any delay. It will not work if they reach after everything is over. Our demand was to prevent untoward incidents," said Khan.

The Narayanganj City Corporation elections are being held on party lines for the first time.

As many as seven candidates are contesting for mayor, 156 for councillors and another 38 for reserved councillors.

Speaking to the media, the BNP candidate claimed that the ruling Awami League was intimidating voters.

"We have been saying from the beginning that we want a free, fair and credible election, which requires maintenance of law and order. We do not think that has improved," said Khan, a lawyer by profession.

Reiterating the BNP's demand for army deployment, he said "The people would have been relieved if the army was deployed. I think, it's still possible and needs to be done immediately."

The BNP, which now has no presence in Parliament after boycotting the 2014 general election, had been demanding army, but the Election Commission has ruled it out saying the law and order situation was 'better than normal.'