Amanullah Kabir speaks to DOT :
The ruling Awami League does not want that BNP participates in the general election. Awami League wants to re-enjoy the fun that it had in 2004. Random cases against BNP leaders and activists, and their arrests depicts that Awami League wants BNP not to contest in the election.
In case of nomination cancellation, one lost his candidacy for some reason, while another for something else.
Who is Obaidul Quader to say BNP will not participate in the election? BNP is preparing for the election and doing other things as well, hoping that it will be a free and fair election.
If the peoplem approach the polling centres during voting, they will not be able to do election engineering. They are panicked about what their condition would be there, and this is the main issue. This is why Obaidul Quader and other ministers say the election will be held on time even though BNP pulls out of the polls race.
Awami League has put BNP in such a troubled situation that the latter cannot even overcome. BNP is facing rampant arrests and harassment.
The Election Commission is failing to perform its duties due to pressure from the government, which is its weakness. This is the reason the Commission is so weak and backbone-less. The constitutional body may not be able to create a level-playing for a free and fair election.
If the election is not held inclusively, it may lead to a public outrage.
Amanullah Kabir is senior journalist
Interviewed by Amirul Islam and translated by Sayeed Muhammad