Grassroots BNP leaders yesterday said there are conspiracies to harm their party’s election prospects.

Now, the youngsters have embarked on a campaign to reach out to the people in preparation for forming a new political party.

Political parties must reach a consensus on election timing, reforms

The BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami now seem to be poles apart over when the local and parliamentary elections should be held and the proportional representation system in the House.

Despite government assurance of polls by December, the BNP would be pushing for prompt announcement of the election roadmap as it believes a quarter is out to delay the polls.

The government has assured the BNP of working to hold the national election by December this year, the party’s Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said yesterday. 

He added that his party would in no way accept any local government elections before the national election

A 16-year-old boy suffered bullet injuries during a clash between two groups of BNP over the control of the local jhut trade (wasted scraps of fabric) in Ashulia on the outskirts of the capital yesterday afternoon.

A BNP delegation held a meeting with CEC AMM Nasir Uddin and other election commissioners this afternoon

They are set to discuss the country's current political situation

The BNP is likely to hold talks with Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus this week and express concerns over the country’s “deteriorating” law and order situation, especially the demolition of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s residence in Dhanmondi, say several party leaders.

BNP has strongly protested the government's decision to hike the price of cylindered liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), describing the move as “illogical and anti-people”

The BNP is set to take to the streets demanding general elections by the end of this year and protesting the rising prices of essentials, said several standing committee members of the party.

BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman has urged party leaders and activists to work for the implementation of its 31-point reform outline.

BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed today said his party plans to initiate a movement aimed at guiding the interim government and paving the way for an elected political government

The BNP acting chairman stresses on discipline and grassroots engagement

While the BNP has been pressing for national elections for months, it has avoided conflicts with student leaders and the interim government.

If the interim government fails to be neutral, it cannot hold the election, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said yesterday. Then a neutral government would be needed, he said. 

If voted to power, the BNP would form a government of national unity and ensure representation from the parties that would participate in the polls and those who protested against the last autocratic regime, said the party’s Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir yesterday.

The meeting, scheduled at the Foreign Service Academy for 4pm, aims to finalise the 'July Declaration' through consensus.