Grassroots leaders and activists of the BNP and like-minded political parties are taking extensive election preparations in almost every constituency, even though the high-ups of the parties continue to insist that they will not participate in the 12th parliamentary polls without a neutral election-time government in place.
During the Eid-ul-Azha vacation, nomination seekers of the BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, and their allied political parties concentrated on election campaigns in their respective constituencies by holding meetings and exchanging views with general voters and party activists, similar to the activities of nomination seekers of the rulingAwami league.
On a visit to Chuadanga-2 during the holidays, this correspondent found several banners and posters of nomination seekers from the BNP and Jamaat as well as the Awami League. Many of the nomination seekers met with party activists before and after the Eid break.
Talking to Dhaka Tribune on Tuesday, BNP and Jamaat nomination seekers for Chuadanga-2 Mahmud Hasan Khan Babu and Ruhul Amin said they are preparing for the elections and waging a movement for a neutral election-time government simultaneously.
They added that they have to prepare for the election now as they will otherwise be lagging behind other parties if the movement is successful.
A similar election preparation situation was seen in almost every other constituency.
The BNP recently expelled over a hundred leaders who disregarded the instructions of its central command by participating in local government elections in Gazipur, Barisal, Rajshahi, Khulna and Sylhet.
When contacted, BNP International Affairs Secretary Barrister Rumeen Farhana told Dhaka Tribune: “The movement, election preparation and organizational activities are ongoing in parallel. As a large political party of the country, the BNP takes every preparation.
“Right now, we are focusing on our one-point movement, which is to install a non-partisan caretaker or election time government. Very soon, our one-point movement will be declared and hopefully we will be successful,” former lawmaker Rumeen Farhana added.
When contacted, leaders of the Awami League said they are aware that the BNP and their allies have begun election preparations.
They also said that AL President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had hinted during the last central committee meeting of the ruling party that she would hand out party nominations after evaluating the possible opposition MP candidates.
Awami League Joint General Secretary Mahbubul Alam Hanif told Dhaka Tribune: “The BNP is a political party that always uses double standards and plays dubious roles. Verbally, its leaders are saying they are concentrating on the movement, but their supporters have begun election preparations.”
He added that the Awami League wants a participatory election and is optimistic that the BNP will join the polls under the government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in line with the provisions of the constitution.
