Staff Correspondent:

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman cast his concern, saying that the ousted fascist force may raise its ugly head again if the local body election is held before the national one in the country.

“Inaction and negligent speeches of the government over the national election may help raise the ugly head of the ousted fascist force,” he said on Friday, calling upon the government to announce the roadmap of the national election as early as possible.

While virtually addressing the programme held at the National Press Club in Dhaka, marking the founding anniversary of the Amar Bangladesh (AB) Party, he said that the prevailing depoliticisation trend within the government creates a serious threat to the country’s democracy.

He also urged the government to ensure accountability of the country’s all political parties by holding a free, fair and credible national election before the local body polls.

It is the government’s responsibility to force the political parties to face the people’s verdict through an inclusive national election, said the BNP stalwart.

An elected government is crucial to provide political and economic security to the countrymen, he said, adding that the government is solely responsible for ensuring a congenial electoral atmosphere in the country so that people can cast their votes independently.

Alleging that a group of vested quarters is hatching an effort in an organised way so that no one can speak about the election, Tarique said the reform efforts will go in vain if the demand for an election is denied on the pretext of the reforms.

About the much-debated humanitarian corridor between Bangladesh and Myanmar, Tarique once again said the decision must come from an elected parliament.