Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday said their party will join the next national election if it is held under an ‘election-time supportive’ government ensuring a level playing field.

Talking to reporters near BNP founder Ziaur Rahman’s grave, he also claimed that their party has 900 prospective candidates to contest the 11th parliamentary elections from 300 constituencies, reports UNB.

‘BNP is an election-oriented party. We believe in election. We’re always ready to join the election if an election-time supportive government and proper election environment are in place,’ the BNP leader said.

Earlier, Fakhrul together with the leaders and activists of Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal placed wraths at Zia’s grave marking the 38th founding anniversary of the BNP’s labour wing.

The BNP secretary general alleged that the more the government is getting alienated from people, the more it is squeezing democratic space to cement its one-party rule.

He said their party does not want to compare its rule with the Awami League government’s current one as people will judge what the ruling party has done for the country and how much they have indulged in corruption if an impartial election is held.

Referring to Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader’s warning to his party colleagues that they will have to run here and there with the money they have made if their party quits power, Fakhrul said, ‘The ruling party general secretary’s comment demonstrated how people will judge their activities.’

BNP standing committee member Nazrul Islam Khan alleged that the workers in the country are passing through an uncertain life as they are not getting fair wages for their labour amid the continued price hike of the essentials. ‘The workers at different sectors are getting killed as their workplaces are still not safe for them.’

He also alleged that workers are being harassed, repressed and arrested by implicating them in false cases as there is no democracy in the county. ‘So, on this day of Sramik Dal’s founding anniversary, we’re taking a vow to be there in the frontline in the movement for restoration of democracy in the days to come.’