Dhaka: Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday said it is impossible for the present prime minister to refrain from influencing election having absolute authority in hand.

"This is why we think she (Sheikh Hasina) needs to step down and it will have to form a neutral government to make the election truly fair," he added.

The BNP leader made the remark while talking to reporters at his Uttara residence in capital Dhaka.

Mirza Fakhrul said their party wants to resolve the present political crisis in Bangladesh through talks, to avoid any violence ahead of the next parliamentary elections.

"We want a truly neutral election-time supportive government. But we are not rigid on our stance. We want an understanding through discussion. We always hope that good sense will prevail upon the government," he said.

Fakhrul said, "We still don't want to go to the path of violence and we are trying to avoid it. We seriously want the next election to be held in a peaceful atmosphere. We never want the repeat of violence like in the past."

He said it is important for the ruling party men to hold dialogue if they are truly patriotic, democratic and want wellbeing of the country.

BNP will place the formula of a supportive government before the nation in proper time, the party secretary general said.

He also said the parliament should be dissolved ahead of the national election.

Citing recent incidents of forced disappearance of Kalyan Party general secretary MM Aminur Rahman, he said they did not expect such incidents from Awami League. "Isn't it responsibility of the government and the state to find out those who remain missing?"

"Enough is enough. There was huge bloodshed and misery of the people. Many families were destroyed. People want to be relieved of the situation. None is safe now," he added.