BNP standing committee member Mirza Abbas on Thursday categorically said their party will not join the 12th parliamentary election keeping Awami League in power.

“Our stance is clear that the election won’t be held under this government. We saw elections under this government in the past. How can we go to the polls under a government that steals votes the day before the election and thus sits in power?” he said.

Abbas said their party wants the next general election to be held under a polls-time caretaker government.  “They (AL) leaders are saying there is no scope (to restore it).  Let Awami League resign first. Then the country will run as usual (like in the past). But we can’t join the polls if Awami League stays in power.”

The BNP leader made the remarks while talking to journalists after placing wreaths at party founder Ziaur Rahman’s grave together with the leaders of Jatiyatabadi Ulema Dal, marking its 42nd founding anniversary.

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He recalled that it was Jamaat-e-Islam which first came up with the demand for a caretaker government in 1996 and then Awami League pushed for it.

Abbas said they amended the constitution for introducing the caretaker government system showing respect for democracy.

Sought his reaction to Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) KM Nurul Huda’s comment that the Election Commission should be reconstituted on the basis of consensus among the political parties, the BNP leader said the current CEC is a fake man and their party does not value his words.

“The fact is that no fair and impartial Election Commission can be formed under this government. We would like to clearly say we won’t allow any election under the current regime,” he observed.

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Abbas said their party will force the government to meet their demand for the caretaker government. “It’s now a matter of time.”

He alleged that the government has continued repressing alem-ulema alongside opposition leaders and activists. “Mufti Kazi Ibrahim was arrested a few days back. I don’t understand whom this government is trying to appease by arresting the learned Islamic scholars and alem-ulema of this country.”

He criticised Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader for what he said regularly making different remarks about BNP. “Awami League should not think of our party. They should oil their own machine and think about how to stay in power. ”