NCP seeks local govt poll ban on BNP beneficiaries

National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam has demanded that individuals allegedly appointed illegally to various institutions during the BNP government's tenure be barred from contesting city corporation elections, while the party's Member Secretary Akhtar Hossain accused the government of backtracking on its commitments to implement the July National Charter.

Nahid made the remarks during a leaflet distribution and public outreach campaign in Mirpur, Dhaka, on Sunday, protesting the deteriorating law and order situation, rising fuel and essential commodity prices, and the politicisation of state institutions.

He alleged that city corporation administrators were using public funds to promote themselves and claimed that collusion between the Awami League and India was contributing to instability.

At the campaign, Akhtar called for public participation in a mass demonstration scheduled for October 30, criticising Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed over the law and order situation. Questioning the affordability of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), he asked why it remained expensive in Bangladesh when it was available at half the price in a neighbouring country.

On the caretaker government issue, Akhtar questioned how the BNP's proposed system involving the Speaker could ensure neutrality, noting that the NCP had presented an alternative formula to the National Consensus Commission.

Speaking at a separate discussion at the National Press Club, organised by Jamaat-e-Islami on Sunday to mark the anniversary of the signing of the July National Charter, Akhtar accused the BNP-led government of seeking excuses to avoid implementing agreed reforms.