STAFF CORRESPONDENT

National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam yesterday came down heavily on BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami, accusing the parties of obstructing state reform initiatives and plotting to delay the national polls.

Besides, the party has clarified its position about the referendum date and accepted “shapla koli” (water lily bud) as its electoral symbol.

NCP leaders said the referendum could be held on the election day or even earlier when a three-member NCP delegation met the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin at the EC office yesterday afternoon.

At that time, the party leaders declared a plan to nominate candidates for all 300 seats in the upcoming national election.

Later, speaking to reporters at the party’s office, Nahid Islam accused the BNP of opposing the consensus commission by submitting notes of dissent on key issues, raising doubts among the public -- and even within their own ranks -- about their commitment to reforms.

Meanwhile, he went on to say that Jamaat’s actions appear to suggest possible intentions to delay the election.

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