BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has criticised National Citizen Party (NCP) Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patwari for his statement that the BNP’s electoral symbol, Dhaner Shish (sheaf of paddy), must be canceled if the NCP is not given the Shapla (water lily) symbol.
Addressing the NCP, Fakhrul said, “Brother, we did not obstruct your symbol. Which symbol you will get will be decided by the Election Commission. Why create unnecessary disputes over BNP’s Dhaner Shish?”
He made the remarks on Friday (October 10) at a discussion held at the Engineers’ Institute in Dhaka.
Fakhrul added that the Dhaner Shish symbol is unbeatable and its slogans are being raised across the country. He claimed there is an ongoing attempt to block the symbol. “If the Dhaner Shish wins, those conspiring against Bangladesh will be forced to leave,” he said.
He also stressed, “No matter how much reform we try, or how intellectuals try to devise strategies, we cannot return to democracy until an elected government is established through elections.”
Earlier, on Thursday (October 9), regarding the Shapla symbol, Nasiruddin Patwari told reporters after meeting Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A.M.M. Nasir Uddin at the Election Commission, “There are two options before the Election Commission — either the Shapla symbol must be given, or the Dhaner Shish and Sonali Ansha (golden fiber) must be removed from the list.”