BNP will be at forefront of 'greater unity'

BNP senior leader Nazrul Islam Khan yesterday said their party will be in the frontline of a movement to be launched under “greater unity” platform to force the government to hold a credible national election.

“We're saying from BNP's side that we're not only willing to forge a greater unity, but also want to remain in the frontline of the movement to be launched by the unity. We'll take part in all programmes on the streets,” he said.

He came up with the remarks at a discussion arranged by Sammilita Chhatra Forum at Jatiya Press Club, demanding release of Khaleda Zia and other detained BNP leaders.

Nazrul, a BNP standing committee member, said Khaleda called for a greater unity in 2016 to realise various demands, including resignation of the government, holding polls under a non-party administration, dissolution of parliament and deployment of army.“Jukta Front and Dr Kamal Hossain's Oikya Prokriya are also making the same demands. Since our demands are identical, we can certainly carry out a struggle together,” he said.

Nazrul Islam said all political parties except for the ruling party and some of its allies, social organisations, Sujan, TIB and Ain o Salish Kendra are of the same opinion that it is not possible to hold the national election in a fair and credible manner under a partisan government.

He said their party wants to join the next election as it believes in change of power through polls. “But we're not interested in taking part in any game in name of an election.”