BNP on Monday said the government might have brought major changes in the district and police administrations as part of its an ‘evil plan’ to shape the election field for Awami League to hold snap polls keeping Khaleda Zia out of the race.

‘The government’s accomplice HM Ershad a few days back said the election would be held before its schedule. Twenty-two DCs and 29 SPs were appointed and transferred yesterday (Sunday). A smokescreen has been created among people that whether it is a sign of early election,’ said BNP senior leader Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, reports the UNB.

Speaking at a press conference at the party’s Nayapaltan central office, he further said, ‘Many questions have arisen in public mind as it was not a routine reshuffle. It seems they’ve an evil design behind it. As it’s the election year, they’re trying to create an election field in Awami style.’

Rizvi warned that there will be no use of making the election field in favour of Awami League as people will resist any move to hold the election without Khaleda Zia.

On Sunday, the government appointed new deputy commissioners (DCs) to 22 districts and also transferred and designated new jobs for 29 superintendents of police (SPs).

Rizvi criticised Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader for advising BNP to hold indoor programmes instead of taking to the streets, saying he is talking like a zonal martial administrator.

‘When martial law is enforced, political parties are advised to hold indoor programmes. He (Quader) is also talking in similar tone. We’re holding democratic programmes, and we’ve the right to hold outdoor programmes,’ he observed.

The BNP leader said though Awami League leaders utter democracy, they always hold the spirit of authoritarian and one-party Baksal in their minds.

Rizvi alleged that police obstructed their party’s scheduled demonstration programmes at different parts of the country, including in Kushtia, Jhalakati, Pirojpur and Brahmanbaria on Saturday.

He also alleged that police arrested said their party’s many leaders and activists across the country.

The BNP leader demanded that the government immediately release their all arrested leaders and followers.