UP polls precursor to autocracy

BNP yesterday alleged that the government was plotting the grabbing of all chairman posts in the upcoming union parishad (UP) elections to establish autocracy.

"Holding the UP polls is their final rehearsal before establishing autocracy in the country. This is the reason the elections are being held under party banners," said Rizvi Ahmed, joint secretary of the party, adding that to fulfil the purpose, the ruling party people snatched the nomination papers of BNP aspirants.

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Addressing a press briefing at the Nayapaltan headquarters, the BNP leader said the government was trying to hide its massive terrorist plan aimed at ensuring victory of its candidates.

"Occasionally issuing summons for BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and Senior Vice Chairman Tarique Rahman, filing charges in false cases against BNP leaders, and making a hue and cry of The Daily Star and its Editor Mahfuz Anam -- all these were done to deflect the people from the UP polls," he said.

Rizvi said the preparation for BNP's sixth national council, scheduled for March 19, was going on full swing, and the party was waiting for permission from police to use a venue.