Bangladesh National Party standing committee member Salahuddin Ahmed expressed hope on Friday that the party鈥檚 acting chairman, Tarique Rahman, will return to Bangladesh by November.
鈥業 believe our acting chairman Tarique Rahman will return to the country within November. We are waiting for his return,鈥� he told reporters at his Gulshan residence.
When asked whether there is any specific date for Tarique鈥檚 return, the BNP leader said, 鈥榊ou鈥檒l know the exact date very soon. But I hope he鈥檒l be back within November.鈥�
Asked about Tarique鈥檚 possible constituencies in the next national election, he said the BNP Acting Chairman will surely contest the election as he himself has already said this in interviews.
鈥楾he constituencies will be decided later. He can contest from any seat in Bangladesh,鈥� he said.
On whether BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia will take part in the upcoming election, Salahuddin said, 鈥榃e hope our leader Begum Khaleda Zia will decide based on her health condition. We definitely want her to contest the polls.鈥�
The BNP leader also said their party will give the green signal to its candidates in 200 constituencies within this month.
Responding to a question about a possible alliance with the National Citizen Party, Salahuddin said political discussions are going on, but no formal decision has been made yet.
鈥楾alks are still at the discussion level. Let鈥檚 wait and see how things move forward,鈥� he said.
The BNP leader expressed dissatisfaction over the way the Representation of the People Order amendment was passed, saying it would discourage small parties from forming alliances.
鈥榃e agreed to several clauses of the RPO amendment. Under sub-clause 20(1), if a party joins an alliance, it can contest under another party鈥檚 symbol. Most parties supported this change,鈥� he said.
Salahuddin said they were confident that this would be considered.
鈥楤ut the way the RPO has been passed will discourage smaller parties from forming alliances. As a result, many senior leaders of small parties will lose opportunities,鈥� he said.
He questioned why the RPO was passed unilaterally.
鈥楤NP wants a vibrant, multi-party parliament. For the sake of a fair election, I urge the authorities to reconsider this matter,鈥� he said.
Salahuddin said BNP has agreed to introduce a 鈥楴o鈥� vote option in constituencies with single candidates to ensure no one can win uncontested.
He also informed that BNP will send a formal letter to the Election Commission expressing its objections to certain parts of the RPO amendment.
