BNP sees conspiracy in High Court halting Gazipur city polls

The BNP has alleged the government pulled strings behind the scenes to get the Gazipur City Corporation elections halted by the High Court.

The reaction of the ruling Awami League’s arch rival came on the heels of the court order issued on Sunday, only nine days before the polls.

“The government has had the election deferred anticipating defeat,” said BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir at a news conference in Dhaka.

The High Court stayed the Gazipur elections for three months after hearing a petition filed by 

Shimulia-1 Union Chairman ABM Azharul Islam Suroj challenging the inclusion of six administrative districts (mouzas) into the city corporation’s coverage.

Immediately after the stay order, BNP Joint Secretary General Syed Moazzem Hossain Alal said, “It’s a conspiracy by the government. The government cannot postpone it for long. We will go to court and surely win the legal battle.”

His reaction came when he was staying at the BNP-nominated Gazipur City Corporation mayor candidate Hassan Uddin Sarkar's Tongi residence for campaign. BNP Vice Chairman Abdullah Al Noman was also present there.

Sarkar said, “The court’s ruling has come out of the blue for the Gazipur people.”

He vowed to continue protests until a fresh election date is announced.

Police, meanwhile, have arrested Noman while he was coming out of Sarkar's residence on the charge of creating fear among the people.