Attack only to foil polls: AL

Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader alleged that the BNP's attack on police was designed to subvert the planned election, report agencies.

His comment came hours after BNP supporters clashed with the police on the third day of the party's nomination form sale, in front of their headquarters at Naya Paltan on Wednesday.

BNP supporters led by Mirza Abbas attacked the police without any provocation, Quader alleged at a news conference at the party's Dhanmondi office.

Thirteen members of the police were seriously injured in the attack and several police vehicles were set on fire, he said. "They plotted the attack. The BNP has been hatching a conspiracy to foil the election. As part of that conspiracy, they attacked the police. "

The AL leader said conspiracies will not be able to stop the polls.

Meanwhile, BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Wednesday blamed police for the clash in front of their Naya Paltan central office and said it will only hamper the election atmosphere.

"The government is trying to ruin the election atmosphere by attacking our leaders and activists. This is unfortunate that law enforcers attacked our leaders and activists," he said.

Fakhrul made the remarks while talking to reporters just before joining the meeting between Dr Kamal Hossain-led Jatiya Oikyafront delegation and the Election Commission at Nirbachan Bhaban.

He urged the government not to create any such incident further in the days to come. "We also call upon (govt) to ensure a congenial election atmosphere."