Dhaka: BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Tuesday said ‘hanging onto power by holding bloodstained elections’ seems to be the main theme of Awami League’s 20th national council.

Speaking at a press briefing at BNP’s central office in Dhaka, he also called upon the government to take proper steps for forming the Election Commission through a neutral search committee based on opinions of all the stakeholders, and hold a national election.

‘Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at their council said their party will have to return to power at any cost by not allowing BNP to do so. Her remark has indicated how grave the consequences of the next election will be,’ Rizvi said. He further said, ‘This comment also exposed that they (AL) will play the role of usurpers ignoring public opinion in the next election by holding it under their supervision. They hate true democracy, fair election and people’s right to vote without any fear.’

The two-day council of the ruling Awami League was held at Suhrawardy Udyan in the city on Saturday and Sunday.

Rizvi alleged that the nation did not get anything from the ruling party’s council to be optimistic about the ‘restoration’ of democracy. ‘Instead, the ruling party leaders’ comments reflected their autocratic and despotic attitude.’

He said people had expectation that the new Awami League committee formed through the council would create a democratic environment in the country. ‘But, its new general secretary is following the footsteps of his leader Sheikh Hasina as he said BNP will end up in quicksand.’

The BNP leader urged AL general secretary Obaidul Quader to look into his party as it is going to end up slipping into a deep tunnel by obliterating democracy and the rule of law, imposing restriction on political activities, using excessive power and resorting to repressive acts.

 ‘The country’s people expect that the newly elected Awami League committee will play the due role in restoring democracy, people’s voting and all other rights and ensuring public security,’ Rizvi observed.

He, on behalf of BNP, urged the new AL committee to work for reconstituting a credible and acceptable Election Commission through forming a search committee with neutral people after taking opinions from all political parties and all other concerned.