'BNP doesn't want violence over supportive govt'

Senior Correspondent: BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said that his party does not want violence over the poll-time supportive government.

He said, "We still do not want to go to the path of violence and we are trying to avoid it. We seriously want the next election to be held in a peaceful atmosphere. We never want the repeat of violence like in the past."

The BNP stalwart made the remark while talking to reporters at his Uttara residence in the capital on Tuesday.

"We want a truly neutral election-time supportive government. But we are not rigid on our stance. We want an understanding through discussion. We always hope that good sense will prevail upon the government," he said.

He said it is important for the ruling party men to hold dialogue if they are truly patriotic, democratic and want wellbeing of the country.

Having absolute authority in hand, it is impossible for the present Prime Minister to refrain from influencing election, the BNP leader said.

"This is why we think she (Hasina) needs to step down and it will have to form a neutral government to make the election truly fair," he added.

BNP will place the formula of a supportive government before the nation in proper time, the party secretary general said.

He also said the parliament should be dissolved ahead of the national election.

Citing recent incidents of forced disappearance of Kalyan Party general secretary MM Aminur Rahman, he said they did not expect such incidents from Awami League. "Isn’t it responsibility of the government and the state to find out those who remain missing?"

"Enough is enough. There was huge bloodshed and misery of the people. Many families were destroyed. People want to be relieved of the situation. None is safe now," he added.

risingbd/Dhaka/September 05, 2017/Reza/A K Azad