'AL plotting to return to power thru' backdoor'

BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Friday said if any party is plotting to return to power through the backdoor in the next elections, it is Awami League. "We've seen this party (AL) repeatedly trying to come to power through the backdoor. They're conspiring again to return to power through the backdoor by misleading people with their unguarded remarks about BNP," he said.

The BNP leader further said, "They're thinking of returning to power by holding a January 5, 2014-like one-sided election. But we would like to  say another 2014-like election won't be held in 2018. The country's people won't accept such polls."

Fakhrul came up with his refutation of AL general secretary Obaidul Quader's comment at a milad and doa mahfil at BNP's Nayapaltan central office. The party arranged the program seeking early recovery of its chairperson Khaleda Zia who underwent a surgery in her right eye in London on Tuesday.

Earlier on Thursday talking to reporters in Narayanganj, Quader said BNP is desperate to return to power through the backdoor as it has lost everything. Protesting the AL general secretary's comment, Fakhrul said their party always returned to power with public support through struggle and democratic movements.

He said though Khaleda Zia went to London for treatment, the ruling party men crafted various dramas over her tour. "They've tried to give it a political colour with an ill motive. Even, they called it a plotting tour. Our leader doesn't need to hatch any plot abroad as people are with her."

The BNP leader alleged that the ruling party leaders have got unnerved following the Supreme Court's verdict cancelling the 16th constitutional amendment. "Their comments about the Supreme Court are not only indecent, but also tantamount to contempt of court."

He said their party wants the next general election to be held under an election-time supportive government ensuring a level-playing field. Fakhrul said their chairperson will return home once her physical treatment is completed. "We'll surely force the government to hold the election under a supportive government creating proper election atmosphere."

He alleged that though the ruling party leaders are carrying out election campaign visiting the country's different areas by helicopter, their party is not being allowed to do normal political activities. "Even, they're obstructing our member collection drive programmer. Under such an atmosphere, a fair election is not possible. A level-playing field must be ensured to create a scope for us to join the polls."

-UNB, Dhaka