Saifur-led BNP to take part in local govt polls

Saifur-led faction of BNP will take part in all local government elections while leaders of pro-Khaleda faction of the party yesterday said they will finalise their decision at party forum.
Khlaeda loyalists also said they consider release of the detained party chief a must for free and fair polls.
The Election commission (EC) had earlier announced that it is making preparations for holding local government elections including city corporation polls before the national elections by the end of 2008. Elections of city corporations might be held in March or April next year, it said.
Meanwhile, leaders of the Awami League already hinted that they would participate in city corporation elections.
In reply to a question, Maj (retd) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, acting Secretary General of Saifur-led BNP faction, said his party will take part in all local government elections including that of city corporations.
" BNP will contest city corporation polls and other local government elections, and we are thinking of honest, popular and clean candidates," he told reporters at his Banani residence.
He also said they would try to nominate candidates for elections of city corporations although political parties don't involve in local government polls directly.
Asking the government and the EC to create a congenial atmosphere so that they could nominate popular and honest candidates, Hafiz, also a former minister in Khaleda's cabinet, said his party would also contest the general elections.
He appreciated government steps to control price hike of essentials, and urged the authorities to ensure fertiliser supply for the farmers.
Referring to the rationing system in West Bengal state of India, Hafiz said the government could go for such measures to help the poor and low-income people.
Pro-Khaleda leader Rizvi Ahmed, acting office secretary of the party, yesterday said, "It does not matter what Hafiz says as senior leaders of the party would take decision regarding the matter (local bodies polls)."
“It's not a proper time for local government election as elected lawmakers will take the decision in this regard after the national elections," he said talking to reporters at Khandaker Delwar's Nam flat.
Terming the EC decision to invite Saifur-led BNP faction for electoral reforms dialogue 'part of a conspiracy', he said the commission ran into a controversy by doing this as they (Saifur-led faction) don't represent the BNP.
Rizvi also said their lawyers are preparing for a legal fight against the EC decision, and the party will continue its activities under the leadership of Khaleda Zia. “We will get her released,” he added.