Dhaka: BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has expressed his concerns regarding the scheduling of national elections in April, stating that the month is not suitable for such an event. His comments came as he addressed journalists after laying wreaths at the grave of BNP founder Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar during Eid-ul-Azha.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Alamgir highlighted several reasons for his stance, including the extreme heat, potential storms, and rains typical of April, which could disrupt the electoral process. Additionally, the period following Ramadan includes public examinations, further complicating the timing. He also mentioned the difficulty of conducting election campaigns during Ramadan.
Alamgir emphasized that December would be a more appropriate time for the elections. “We think December will be most suitable for polls,” he stated, aligning this preference with the expectations of the public. He noted that the BNP had consistently demanded elections be held in December.
Earlier in the day, Alamgir, accompanied by party standing committee members Mirza Abbas, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Nazrul Islam Khan, Salah Uddin Ahmed, and AZM Zahid Hossain, paid tribute to Ziaur Rahman by laying wreaths at his grave and participating in a special prayer for the late leader’s soul.
The gathering also included BNP’s Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi Ahmed, members of the Chairperson’s Advisory Council Abdus Salam and Abdul Halim, Joint Secretary General Habib Un Nabi Khan Sohel, and other central leaders. They took on the responsibility of visiting the grave, a tradition formerly observed by BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia before her imprisonment in 2008. Due to her health issues, the party’s Secretary General and Standing Committee members now pay homage in her stead.