AL won't get even 8pc votes if fair polls held: BNP

BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir questioned on Sunday why Awami League fears a national election under a non-party administration since it believes its opponent will not get even eight per cent of votes, reports UNB.

"Obaidul Quader has said whether we would get eight per cent of votes. If you believe that, hold the polls under a neutral administration, and then see who get how many votes," he said.

The BNP leader came up with the remarks while speaking at a discussion organised by Zia Smriti Pathagar at the BNP's Nayapaltan central office in the city, marking the 82nd birth anniversary of party founder Ziaur Rahman.

The BNP leader further said, "We know you won't do that as you know it very well you won't get even eight per cent of votes if the next election is held under a non-party neutral government."

Fakhrul said Awami league will not easily go to polls under a neutral administration only to avoid its sure defeat.

About the High Court stay order on the by-polls to Dhaka North City Corporation's mayoral post, he said the government with the help of Law Ministry avoided the election using court in fear of losing it.

Accusing the government of continuously harassing and repressing BNP leaders and activists, Fakhrul urged his party colleagues to wake up and put up a strong resistance against the regime. "We must stand against this monstrous government and establish our rights and protect your children, wives and daughters."

He also came down hard on Finance Minister AMA Muhith for calling BNP a 'non-sense' party saying, "What kind of sensible man you are since you say plundering of several thousand crores of taka from banks is a little matter."