The BNP-led four-party alliance might take a formal decision tomorrow whether to participate in the August 4 polls to four city corporations and nine municipalities.
In initial reaction to the Election Commission’s announcement of polls schedules, the alliance leaders have said they would not take part in the local elections.
Bangladesh Jatiya Party (BJP) Chairperson Andalib Rahman Partha last night told The Daily Star that senior leaders of the coalition will meet at his Baridhara residence tomorrow.
He however declined to specify the meeting agenda and instead said all important issues will come for discussion.
Meanwhile, some BNP leaders hinted that discussions will be confined to issues like the forthcoming elections and release of Chairperson Khaleda Zia and her two sons.
Earlier on Tuesday, the detained BNP chief said she would accept whatever the four-party alliance should decide on the local polls.
“The decision of BNP and the alliance is my decision,” she told reporters after a hearing on charge framing in Gatco case.
She also asked BNP Secretary General Khandaker Delwar Hossain to take decisions in consultation with the allies.
Party insiders said Delwar, also a counsel for Khaleda, has already talked to her about the issue. The two discussed allowing leaders and workers to participate in the elections under a different banner in the event of Awami League (AL) going to the polls.
The BNP secretary general and his counterpart in Jamaat-e-Islami Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mojahid have repeatedly said the alliance would not stand in any election preceding the parliamentary polls.
Delwar has even said they would resist the polls. He also said those who would defy the alliance decisions would be declared stooges of the military-backed government.
Sources said division- and district-level leaders of BNP have communicated their recommendations to the high command.
They want the party to participate in the polls which they believe would give it an opportunity to reorganise itself.
Besides, they think the organisation would fall behind if it boycotts any election archrival AL chooses to run for.
Categories: Bangla, Bangladesh, Bangladesh News, Bangladesh Politics, Daily Bangladesh News, News, Politics
