MOHAMMAD AL-MASUM MOLLA

The BNP wants the national election by the middle of this year and local government polls afterwards.

The party believes that local government polls before parliamentary election would be a delaying tactic.

“The government should abandon plans for local government elections and instead focus on holding a national election by mid-year, in line with the public aspirations,” said a standing committee member wishing anonymity.

The issue was discussed during a standing committee meeting, the highest policymaking body of the BNP, at the party chairperson’s Gulshan office last night.

Party’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman joined the meeting from London virtually.

Meeting sources said the party leaders were for putting pressure on the interim government through seminars and discussions to have the general election by the middle of this year.

“We have supported the government, and we will continue it. But that does not mean that the government will remain in the office for an indefinite period,” said another standing committee member.

The interim government has indicated that the national election is likely to be held either later this year or early next year, depending on reaching a consensus on reforms. The government has also stated that if there is no significant demand for widespread reforms from the political parties, the polls may be scheduled earlier.

The BNP, however, maintains that reforms are an ongoing process and should continue, but the election should only be conducted after implementing the necessary reforms.

The meeting also discussed in details the local government polls. All senior leaders said this attempt will delay the general election as local government polls will take place in different phases and it will take more than one and a half years to complete the process.

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