The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has decided to refrain from implementing any hartal or blockade-like programs in the coming days, despite rejecting the recent poll results. As the primary opposition to the Awami League, the party intends to pursue peaceful initiatives such as mass contact programs and leaflet distribution to gain public support for its demand for elections under a neutral government.
Top BNP leaders, well-versed in the party’s plans, have revealed that the decision on the next course of action will depend on the responses from Western nations, which have consistently advocated for free, fair, and participatory elections. Presently, the BNP has announced mass contact programs for the immediate days, including demonstrations at district and divisional levels and the organization of black flag processions.
The party is also prioritizing the release of its incarcerated leaders and activists, who were detained before the January 7 election, as discussed in a virtual meeting of the party’s standing committee members on Sunday. Observing that people did not heed the BNP’s call to boycott the election, the leaders pointed out the extremely low voter turnout, suggesting the unlikelihood of the reported 40 percent turnout. They emphasized the perceived irregularities and unacceptability of the election to the international community.
Anticipating criticism from the US and Western nations, the BNP has gathered evidence of vote rigging and election-related violence, which will be submitted to diplomatic missions in Dhaka. The party may also brief diplomats on the situation. With around 30,000 party members currently in jail, the focus is on their release, leading the BNP to avoid aggressive programs at this time.
