BNP's candidate list 'disappointing', many are 'godfathers': Patwary

National Citizen Party (NCP) Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patwary has described the BNP's candidate list for the upcoming national election "disappointing" and said many of the selected figures are "godfathers."

"We expected good nominations after the uprising," he said at a press conference at the party's Banglamotor office in Dhaka today (3 November).

"However, it seems BNP has strategically sidelined youth leaders from the student and youth wings. We welcome those young leaders to join our party," he said.

Patwary added that the NCP had learned BNP executive chairman Tarique Rahman might return to the country soon. "We want to sit together and find solutions," he said.

He lauded BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia for receiving three nominations, calling her a symbol of democracy. "Within the BNP, when we speak of democracy, we mean her. Without the popular uprising, she might not even have had the opportunity to contest in the election."

Announcing his party's position, Patwary said the NCP is launching a campaign against "crime, extortion and corruption". "Either they survive or we will – but we will fight," he added.

Expressing solidarity with Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, he accused political groups of attempting to intimidate the adviser. "If you feel fear, we are here. We fear no one – not BNP, not Jamaat."

Patwary criticised major parties for attempting to erase smaller parties' identities by offering token seats. "Every party should contest under its own symbol. If a big party sells a symbol to a smaller party, we urge voters not to support it," he said.

He called for immediate implementation of the July Charter by the chief adviser, saying it required no presidential signature. He warned that any attempt to block the order would prompt students to take to the streets again.