The BNP yesterday expressed concern that the government might be plotting to foil its March 19 council.

“If the government or anyone else tries to create obstacles to our council, we will resist them. The party activists are ready to face any obstacles,” BNP standing committee member ASM Hannan Shah told reporters after visiting the council venue -- the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB).

The party will use the latest technology to ensure security at the venue, he said adding that mobile security teams of the party will be deployed in and around the IEB.

Hannan said they will seek cooperation from the government for sending a bomb disposal unit to the venue.

Expressing fear that the government might have a plan to foil the council, another BNP standing committee member Goyeswar Chandra Roy said, “When an unelected and repressive regime is in power, we can't shrug off the possibility of obstruction to the council until it ends.”

Many devoted leaders and activists of the party have been subjected to repression across the country, he complained. “Many party men are behind bars while many others have been on the run. Those who are hiding for fear of repression will join the council braving all the obstacles.”

The BNP leader said they will seek permission from Dhaka Metropolitan Police to use Suhrawardy Udyan, adjacent to the IEB, for the council.  

KHALEDA, TARIQUE TO STAY PUT

Two BNP leaders yesterday filed nominations on behalf of party Chairperson Khaleda Zia and Senior Vice Chairman Tarique Rahman for contesting the same posts in the party's sixth national council.  

BNP joint secretary generals Rizvi Ahmed and Mohammad Shahjahan submitted the nominations to returning officer Nazrul Islam Khan, also a standing committee member, at the party's Nayapaltan headquarters.

Both Khaleda and her son are going to be elected uncontested as no other candidate collected nomination papers to contest the elections.

According to the polls schedule, the party's election commission, led by Jamir Uddin Sircar, will scrutinise the nominations today. Contenders can withdraw their candidature by tomorrow.