Govt’ cannot prevent BNP from participating in election: Khaleda

Published: January 02, 2018 22:30:46 | Updated: January 03, 2018 20:29:14

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) cannot be prevented from participating in the upcoming parliamentary election irrespective of what the government wants.

The party’s Chairperson Khaleda Zia said it on Tuesday at a discussion.

"BNP will go to the polls as it's a pro-election party. Our Party can't be kept out of the election race this time even if they want to," she said.

According to UNB, Khaleda came up with the remarks while speaking at a discussion at the Institution of Engineers' Bangladesh (IEB) arranged by Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal marking its 39th founding anniversary.

The BNP chief also reiterated her demand of holding the election under a non-party government.

"We'll surely join the election but it has to be held under a neutral and non-party government, not under Sheikh Hasina as the entire world knows no fair election can be held under her", she said.

She said if the government thinks it will announce the election after arresting BNP leaders and activists it will not work this time.

"No election like the one held in 2014 will be held in the country. It'll be held with the participation of all parties, including BNP", she said.