AL, BNP missions at odds With only two days left for the filing of the nomination papers for the forthcoming city corporation elections, the ruling:Daily Sun

With only two days left for the filing of the nomination papers for the forthcoming city corporation elections, the ruling Awami League and its main opponent the BNP are active in their own ways to have an edge over the other in the battle of ballot. According to sources, the AL is trying to consolidate its position by forging unity in the rank and file of the party to ensure victory in the polls,
while the BNP is opting for the course of election and movement simultaneously to keep the government under pressure to attain its ultimate goal. There are hectic activities in both the camps. The AL has stepped up its efforts to ensure victory in the elections. To this end, importance is being given on uniting the leaders and activists of the party. It is learnt that with a view to removing the discord among the party men over mayor candidate, AL president and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has invited the leaders and activists of the AL city unit to a ‘tea party’ at the Gonobhaban today. Party sources said, Sheikh Hasina will discuss the election issue with the leaders of the city unit this evening. She is likely to introduce Anisul Huq and Sayeed Khokon as the party’s mayor candidates for Dhaka North and South City Corporations to the activists and ask them to work for them and the councilor candidates. Meanwhile, the lists of the candidates for the post of councilors and women councilors in reserved seats are being prepared. It may be mentioned that Hazi Selim MP who was a very vocal and active aspirant for the post of DSCC mayor left for Azmeer Sharif on Thursday after Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday asked him to stay in parliament and support Sayeed Khokon as mayor candidate.   According to sources, the BNP has decided to follow a policy of keeping the government under pressure by continuing the movement and joining the polls. The BNP leaders think that if they stay away from the polls, the AL government will use total orgainsational and administrative strength in the elections to snatch victory. One of the BNP leaders has said that after losing  repeatedly to the government strategy, BNP now wants to take such a policy which will push the government  towards an awkward position. He also said the BNP wants to adopt such an effective strategy so that the government faces setback by giving election and also faces into a debacle if it stops the polls.   Some BNP leaders have said that it will keep the option open for boycotting the polls even after joining them. If it appears from the attitude of the government that it is desperate to rig the elections to ensure the victory of its nominees, then the BNP will take instantaneous decision to stage a walkout from it. “However, as part of the movement we shall have to join the elections,” they added.         (With inputs from Taimur Faruk Tushar and Shafique  Safi.)