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Wednesday | September 30, 2026 | Dhaka

AL optimistic about BNP’s participation

 New Nation
 Published: 12:00 AM, 22 March 2015

Staff Reporter :
Senior leaders and ministers of ruling Awami League have expressed their optimism about the participation of BNP in the upcoming Dhaka and Chittagong City Corporations polls.
They also said if BNP would not take part in the next month’s city corporation polls, it will be their big political blunder. “The government wants the BNP to resume democratic practice by taking part in the polls. So, I hope BNP will contest in city elections,” Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu on Saturday said in Barisal.
On the other hand, Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed said, “We wanted an election on January 5 with the participation of all parties. BNP is now paying for its wrong decision by not taking part in the polls.”
“Hope, the BNP will not repeat its mistake [of January 5] in the city corporation elections,” he said yesterday while addressing a conference at the Senate Bhaban of Dhaka University.
Meanwhile, the Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu said that the cases against Khaleda Zia over instigating violence will continue even if the party takes part in city corporation polls
“I welcome you [Khaleda] to take part in the elections. But you will not be spared from cases over arson,” he said on Saturday after a programme in Kushtia.
Inu said: “Khaleda Zia is conducting planned killings like those in 1971. So, whether she boycotts or takes part in the elections, she will not be spared from the cases of arson.”
Over 120 people have been killed in violence during an indefinite blockade called by BNP over two and a half months ago for the demand of snap general election. Khaleda has been accused in several cases over burning people alive in fire-bombings of vehicles. She has been charged with instigating the acts of violence.
Polls to three city corporations in Dhaka and Chittagong will take place on Apr 28. Nomination submission deadline is Mar 29. The BNP, which sat out last year’s national polls and is now pressing for a snap election, is yet to announce its decision on the polls.