BNP won't let AL score in empty field

Though BNP opposes the local government polls under the political banner, it will finally participate in the election to stop the ruling party from scoring in an empty field, Prof Emajuddin Ahmed, convener of pro-BNP Adarsha Dhaka Andolon, said yesterday.

 "If the polls are free and fair, BNP will win bagging 70 percent of votes," he told a discussion at the capital's Jatiya Press Club.

However, BNP leaders did not say anything till yesterday about participation of the party in the polls. They told reporters that the decision would be finalised after return of party chief Khaleda Zia from London.   

Warning the government, Emajuddin, also a former vice chancellor of Dhaka University, said if the administration tried to snatch the victory of BNP, there would be repercussions in and outside the country.

He said the government had decided to hold the election under party banners to ensure the ruling party's victory in the polls.      

Partisan election will weaken the local government bodies, he said.

He also demanded reform of the Election Commission before holding the polls.