No election if Khaleda sent to jail

The BNP yesterday warned that there will be no election in the country if its Chairperson Khaleda Zia is sent to jail in "false" cases.

"We would like to clearly say if Khaleda Zia is sent to jail in false cases, no election will be held in the country. No patriotic people will take part in such polls," said BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.

The BNP leader came up with the warning while addressing a discussion at Dhaka Reporters' Unity arranged by the National People's Party (NPP).

He, however, said their party wants to participate in the polls, but it has to be held after creating a level-playing field. "The election must be inclusive and acceptable to all."

The BNP leader alleged that the Awami League has set a trap to hold a farcical election. "If the election is held as per their blueprint, it won't be fair, and people's hopes and aspirations won't be reflected in such polls."

Fakhrul called upon all, irrespective of their party affiliation and opinion, to get united to force the government into holding the next parliamentary polls in a credible manner under a neutral administration.

He said their party wants to return to power through polls and a democratic process. "But the Awami League scrapped the caretaker government system as it doesn't want fair elections."

The BNP leader asked the prime minister why she was "so afraid of credible polls". "Why are you opposing holding polls under neutral people? Why are you not taking a chance to be immortal in history by holding a fair election?"

Fakhrul also accused the AL of following 1/11 government's "depoliticisation policy" to destroy the country's major political parties and alliances.