BNP to continue leaflet distribution urging people to boycott polls

The BNP has announced a fresh two-day leaflet distribution and mass campaign program to create awareness among the people to boycott the national election on January 7.

Other like-minded political parties will also observe the program. 

Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, senior joint secretary general of the BNP, announced the program at a virtual press briefing on Thursday afternoon.

According to the new program, the BNP will conduct leaflet distribution and mass contact programs nationwide on Friday and Saturday. 

The party’s previously announced three-day program ends on Thursday. 

BNP leader Nazrul Islam Khan on Thursday urged the people to come forward in unison to foil the Awami League government’s efforts to stage a "game" in the name of election.

"We appeal to the people of the country to boycott the upcoming polls since you have no scope to choose the candidates of your choice,” he said while distributing leaflets in front of the National Press Club, reports UNB.

Nazrul said the election slated for January 7 is just an evil attempt to extend the term of "an illegal, corrupt and looter regime." “You have to (people) say 'no' to them (govt). You stand against them and foil this game in the name of election.”

The BNP along with nearly three dozen opposition political parties have been carrying out a simultaneous movement since December 10 last year to force the current government to quit and hold the 12th parliamentary election under a non-partisan neutral administration.

The BNP’s movement lost its momentum following clashes with law enforcers centring on the party’s grand rally on October 28 as many senior leaders, including its secretary general, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, were arrested while many others went into hiding in the face of a crackdown by law enforcement.

However, the BNP and like-minded parties have enforced countrywide blockades for 22 days in 11 phases and hartals for five days in four spells since October 29.

Finally, the opposition party made the call for a non-cooperation movement on December 20.