BNP expels 73 for competing in upazila polls

BNP has expelled 73 leaders for being candidates in the upcoming upazila parishad elections defying the party decision.

Of them, 28 are chairman, 24 vice chairman and 21 women vice chairman candidates, a press release said on Friday.

According to the press release, leaders who are contesting for the posts of chairman, vice chairman and women vice chairman in the first phase upazila parishad polls defying the party decision have been removed from all party posts, including primary membership.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi earlier on April 16 said the party's National Standing Committee decided to boycott the upazila elections starting on May 8.

At that time, Rizvi said BNP boycotted the parliament, and local government elections previously held under the Sheikh Hasina-led government and her fabricated Election Commission as these were not taken place fairly.

There are logical reasons not to participate in the upcoming upazila parishad polls as the environment of a fair and peaceful election was not created and the existing anarchy situation worsened, he added.

KH/MSU