Dhaka: BNP senior leader Mirza Abbas on Saturday said their party did not put up any resistance against the ruling party’s various irregularities in Gazipur and Khulna polls due to a strategic reason, reports the UNB.

‘The ruling party won the Gazipur and Khulna polls through rigging. The leaders and activists of BNP were driven out from their areas with arrest, threats and intimidation after the announcement of the election schedule,’ he said.

Speaking at a discussion, he further said, ‘BNP didn’t create any resistance due to a strategic reason. But we’ll come up with the resistance in the future.’

Jatiyatabadi Help Cell arranged the programme at Dhaka Reporters’ Unity. Six families of those subjected to enforced disappearance, killing and repression by ruling party and law enforcers were provided with finical assistance at the programme.

Abbas, a BNP standing committee member, said he does not disagree with his party colleagues that their party needs to go to polls. ‘But I think it’s more crucial to free our chairperson Khaleda Zia than joining the polls.’

He also feared that the national election will be held in the same style of Khulna and Gazipur if it is held without the participation of Khaleda Zia. ‘No one will be able to resist BNP’s victory if we can join it freeing Khaleda Zia.’

The BNP leader said they have got information that the government is making a list of BNP leaders to suppress them. ‘This list will turn futile in the face of BNP’s movement.’