EU not sending observers means election not possible without neutral govt: Khosru

The European Union (US) not sending a full-fledged team of observers during the next parliamentary polls means that there is no scope to hold an election in the country without a neutral government, BNP leader Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury said today. 

"The 27 member states of the European Union will not send observers as there is no environment for elections in Bangladesh. This means, there will be no elections in Bangladesh without a neutral government. They cannot say this directly. So. they are saying it through various restrictions and statements," he told journalists while passing Brahmanbaria on the Sylhet-bound road march at noon on Thursday (21 September).

The BNP Standing Committee member also said the Awami League-led government will not be able to save itself through killings and enforced disappearances.

"The government will not be able to save itself by stopping our programmes, filing cases in absentia, and killings. People cannot be sent back home by closing the roads. No one will return home until their rights are fully restored," said Khasru.

"The undemocratic forces standing against the people of Bangladesh cannot survive the people's [movement]. People will return home with ownership of the country in their hands.

The BNP's Sylhet-bound road march, announced as part of its simultaneous movement demanding resignation of the government, started from Bhairab in Kishoreganj this morning.