Dhaka: BNP on Sunday alleged that it is Awami League, not BNP, is running after foreigners as it has got desperate to hold another unilateral election with a ‘master plan’.

‘Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader yesterday (Saturday) said BNP is lobbying with foreigners to go to power. I would like to say BNP is a party of people and it believes in returning to power with people’s mandate,’ said BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi.

Speaking at a press beefing at BNP’s Nayapaltan central office, he further said, ‘So, it’s Awami League which is running after foreigners and lobbying with them in fear of losing power.’

Rizvi said people are determined to exercise their right to franchise in the next election by any means. ‘The government has become worried realising people’s such an attitude. They’ve got desperate to hold another election as per a local and international master plan.’

The BNP leader said the Prime Minister is going to many programmes abroad where a secretary-level official is supposed to join. ‘The main motive behind is to woo the foreigners.’

He said the ruling party leaders have already realised that it will not be possible for them to retain power through holding another voter-less and lopsided election like the one held in 2014.

‘The entire world, except two to three counties, is showing a negative attitude towards the current illegal government. International organisations have already said they want the next election to be free, fair, neutral and inclusive one,’ Rizvi said.

The BNP leader said their chairperson Khaleda Zia was sent to jail in a ‘false and fabricated’ case as part of the government’s a blueprint. ‘The government is now restoring to various tactics to prolong her (Hasin’s) stay in jail.’