BNP threatens to boycott Khulna div UZ polls

Accusing the government of harassing its probable candidates, BNP on Monday threatened to boycott the upazila (UZ) polls in Khulna division. “The BNP-backed aspirants and key leaders are being harassed, repressed and arrested. Some senior party leaders are being put behind bars through staging dramas of arms hauls, which is contrary to congenial atmosphere for the elections,” said BNP standing committee member Tariqul Islam. The influential BNP leader made the allegation at a press conference at Jessore Press Club.Narrating the repressive acts by the law enforcers and ruling party ‘cadres’ against the BNP leaders and activists in 10 districts of the division, Tariqul said the ruling party men are also intimidating the voters so that they do not go to polling stations to cast their votes in favour of BNP runners, according to a news agency.