BNP-led four party group decides to boycott local govt polls

Dhaka, Jun 30 -- A four party alliance led by detained former premier Khaleda Zia's Bangladesh Nationalist Party has decided to boycott the upcoming local polls, saying contesting would legitimise the "illegal activities" of the current regime.
"There is no question of legitimising the government by taking part in a farcical election," BNP secretary general Khandaker Delwar Hussain told reporters last night, after a meeting of the alliance, which includes the fundamentalist Jamaat-e-Islami.

Hussain also warned of stern actions against grassroot leaders of the grouping if they contested the polls defying the alliance's stand.

He, however, said the alliance could reconsider its decision only if Zia and detained JI chief Motiur Rehman Nizami were released, the ex-premier's two detained sons were allowed to undergo medical treatment abroad and the current state of emergency was completely lifted immediately.

"We will consider contesting the polls only if our demands are met and the time has not yet run out," he said.

The four-party decision came two days after Zia's arch rival ex-premier Sheikh Hasina's Awami League (AL) eventually decided to take part in the city corporation and municipal elections slated for August 4, reviewing an earlier stand, in a meeting of the party's working committee.

"After weighing the pros and cons, we have unanimously decided to participate in the local government polls in the interest of democracy, peace and stability in the country," AL acting President Zillur Rahman had said earlier after the working committee meeting.