Questioning the reason behind launching a fresh investigation against Mirza Abbas by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), BNP senior leader Gayeshwar Chandra Roy on Monday feared that the government will try to take their party to the next general election by setting various such traps.

“As the 2023 election is approaching fast, the government will work from now on to suppress us and take us to a stage-managed election like the 2018 one,” he said.

Speaking at a discussion, he said, “The ACC suddenly initiated an investigation against BNP standing committee member Mirza Abbas after 13 years. They (govt) will lay various such traps to force us to join the polls in 2023.”

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Gayeshwar, a BNP standing committee member, urged the party high command to take a prompt decision whether they will join that polls or not under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. “We also need to make preparations to implement our plans if we don’t want to participate in that election.”

He warned that the next election will not be held in a free and fair manner even with the appointment of an 'angel' as Chief Election Commissioner under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Jatiyatabadi Swechchasebak Dal arranged the programme at the Jatiya Press Club, marking its 41st founding anniversary.

Gayeshwar said BNP must launch a one-party movement to force Sheikh Hasina to quit power. “All problems can be solved only through a one-point movement as people’s struggle never turn futile.”

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He said they will not wage the movement to make Khaleda Zia or Tarique Rahman the Prime Minister. “We’ll launch the movement to restore people’s voting rights, democratic governing system, the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary.”

The BNP leader urged the party leaders and activists to get ready to sacrifice their blood on the streets for the sake of democracy instead of dying of coronavirus sitting at home.