BNP senior leader Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain on Monday alleged that the government was conspiring to resist their party's victory in Tuesday's Khulna City Corporation polls by rigging votes.
"A tense situation has been prevailing in Khulna city. Voters are in doubt over whether they will be able to go to the polling stations as the entire city is in an appalling state," he said.
Speaking at a discussion program, he further said: "Our polling agents are being intimidated. Even presiding officers are being threatened. The government together with the local administration, police and those involved in the voting process are plotting to rig votes."
Desnetri Mukti Parishad arranged the program at the National Press Club to demand the immediate release of BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia and Swechchhasebak Dal president Shafiul Bari Babu from jail.
Mosharraf, a BNP Standing Committee member, claimed that their party mayoral candidate Nazrul Islam Monju would be elected mayor by a big margin if a fair election is held. "We believe no one will be able to resist BNP's victory if people can cast their votes."
He added that police arrested many BNP polling agents, while the law enforcers also asked many others not to go to polling stations. "The ruling party together with the administration and police is working to thwart BNP's victory."
The BNP leader also criticised the government for causing delays in issuing a gazette notification on the abolishment of the quota system in public services as per the prime minister's announcement.
"The government should have issued the gazette the day after the Prime Minister's announcement about it. We demand that the gazette be issued immediately," he added.
Mosharraf urged BNP leaders and activists to get ready to wage a greater movement to force the government to release Khaleda Zia from jail and hold the next general election under a non-party administration.
Earlier at a press conference at the party's Nayapaltan central office, BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi claimed that an “undeclared curfew” was being enforced for BNP leaders, activists and voters in Khulna, while the ruling party were in a festive mood in an empty field.
He alleged the Election Commission’s failure to ensure a proper election atmosphere has turned Khulna into an “awful city” with the help of Awami League cadres and law enforcers.
The BNP leader also alleged that police and the ruling party were terrorising people so that they do not go to polling stations.
