Dhaka: BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Wednesday blamed police for the clash in front of their Nayapaltan central office and said it will only hamper the election atmosphere.

‘The government is trying to ruin the election atmosphere by attacking our leaders and activists. This is unfortunate that law enforcers attacked our leaders and activists,’ he said, reports the UNB.

Fakhrul made the remarks while talking to reporters just before joining the meeting between Dr Kamal Hossain-led Jatiya Oikyafront delegation and the Election Commission at Nirbachan Bhaban.

He urged the government not to create any such incident further in the days to come. ‘We also call upon (govt) to ensure a congenial election atmosphere.’

The meeting began around 3:30pm where Dr Kamala and other Oikyafront leaders are supposed to talk about their various demands, including the deferment of the national election, and observations on the election.

Meanwhile, Awami League alleged that BNP activists, led party senior leader Mirza Abbas attacked police ‘without any provocation’ in front of its Nayapaltan central office as part of the party’s ‘plot’ to foil the election and topple the government.

Speaking at a press conference at Awami League President’s Dhanmondi office, party general secretary Obaidul Quader also said the attack on police by BNP has demonstrated that the party does not want to join the election.

Earlier in the day, a fierce clash broke out between police and BNP leaders and activists in front of BNP’s Nayapaltan Central office, leaving an unspecified number of people, including law enforcers, injured.

Witness said BNP standing committee member Mirza Abbas along with his several hundred supporters marched towards their party office around 12:40pm and started staging a showdown there before buying party’s nomination paper, halting traffic on the road.

The clash ensued as police locked into an altercation with the BNP leaders and activists over clearing road for vehicular movement.