Regarding seat sharing with like-minded parties, he noted that discussions are ongoing
BNP Standing Committee Member Salahuddin Ahmed. Photo: Collected
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BNP Standing Committee Member Salahuddin Ahmed. Photo: Collected
BNP will soon give the green signal to one candidate in each constituency in preparation for the upcoming national election, said the party’s Standing Committee Member Salahuddin Ahmed today (3 October).
He said the candidates will be given the go-ahead to start working in their respective constituencies. “But it will be official after the [election] schedule is announced; we will give nominations legally through the parliamentary board,” Salahuddin told journalists while discussing current political issues at his residence in Gulshan, Dhaka.
He said the party has multiple qualified candidates in every constituency. “Not just two, in many constituencies there are five, seven, even 10 qualified candidates. We are moving through a systematic political process for candidate selection, and we are now carrying out this work at district and divisional levels.”
Responding to another question, Salahuddin said all prospective candidates have been given the message to speak with one voice in support of the BNP’s electoral symbol. “Whoever gets the symbol, everyone will work in unity for that candidate,” he added.
On election-related programmes, Salahuddin said, “This is not about programmes, rather it could be mass communication.”
The focus is on building stronger outreach so that the message reaches the people and the voters, said the BNP leader.
Regarding seat sharing with like-minded parties, he noted that discussions are ongoing.
“We will either claim or leave those constituencies from the alliance where victory is achievable,” Salahuddin said.
Asked about discussions with the National Citizen Party (NCP), he said, “Political talks take place with all parties, including the NCP. However, no constituency-based discussions have been held with them.”
Referring to recent remarks by the chief adviser in New York about the ban on the Awami League, Salahuddin said, “After the interview, his press secretary and law adviser clarified that there is no chance of the ban being lifted. The ban on the Awami League’s political activities was imposed under the Anti-Terrorism Act.”
“Our demand has been to bring the Awami League under trial as a political entity. Whether it can participate in politics or elections should be determined by the court,” Salahuddin added.