Gono Odhikar’s Nur rules out alliances for ‘a handful of seats’ in general election

His party plans to field candidates in all 300 constituencies

Gono Odhikar Parishad President Nurul Haque Nur has said his party has no reason to join an alliance offering only a handful of seats ahead of the parliamentary polls.

Speaking in Brahmanbaria on Saturday, he said his party would join a coalition only if it served the national interest and only on the basis of what he described as fair and honourable seat terms -- not for two or four seats.

The former DUCSU vice-president told supporters that, alliance or not, Nazrul Islam would contest the Brahmanbaria-5 (Nabinagar) constituency.

Addressing the national context, Nur said the interim government is preparing for election in February, with the schedule expected on Dec 11 if conditions stay unchanged.

He added that the illness of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia could influence the political atmosphere, which might prompt the Election Commission and the government to review the timing.

If no such situation arises, he expects the vote to be held in February.

Nur noted that regardless of whether the election occurs in February or April, the Gono Odhikar Parishad plans to field contenders in all 300 constituencies.