Dhaka: BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia on Saturday night said her party wants the next election to be held under a non-party neutral government so that all political parties can join it.

‘We want multiparty democracy to be restored in the country and the next election to be held in a free and fair manner with the participation of all parties. But the election must be held under a neutral administration. Or else, it won’t be possible to hold an impartial election,’ she said.

The BNP chairperson came up with the remarks while exchanging greetings with the Christian community on the occasion of the Christmas Day. 

Bangladesh Christian Association arranged the programme at the BNP chairperson’s Gulshan office.

Khaleda Zia alleged that the government is again trying to hold a January-5-like unilateral election to hang onto power.

She also came down hard on the government for what she said its repressive acts to weaken BNP.

Khaleda Zia voiced concern over the growing abuse of drugs by the young generation.

‘The ruling party men are involved in drug trading. And they’re working to destroy the young generation with it. Many of them were arrested but they have not been punished,’ she said.

Mentioning that the country is passing through a critical time, the BNP chief urged people of all religions and communities to get united to get rid of it.

Later, Khaleda cut a cake with the Christian community members marking the Christmas Day.

The BNP chief also wished the Christian community members a happy and prosperous life.

BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, standing committee members Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan and Nazrul Islam Khan, senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi and assistant religious affairs secretary John Gomez , among others, spoke at the programme with Christian Association President Albert D Costa in the chair.