BNP-led four party group to boycott local govt polls

Dhaka, June 30 : Khaleda Zia's Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) led four party alliance has decided to boycott the upcoming local polls here today saying contesting elections would legitimize the ''illegal activities'' of the current regime.

BNP Secretary General Khandaker Delwar Hussain said, ''There is no question of legitimizing the Government by taking part in a farcical election,'' after a meeting of the alliance, which includes the fundamentalist Jamaat-e-Islami.

The grassroot leaders of the grouping were also warned by Hussain of stern actions if they contested the polls defying the alliance's stand.

However, he said the alliance could reconsider its decision only if Zia and detained Jamaat-e-Islami chief Motiur Rehman Nizami were released, the ex-premier's two detained sons were allowed to undergo medical treatment abroad and the current state of emergency was completely lifted immediately.

The four-party decision came two days after Zia's arch rival ex-premier Sheikh Hasina's Awami League (AL) decided to take part in the City Corporation and Municipal elections slated for August 4, reviewing an earlier stand, in a meeting of the party's working committee.

ANI