BNP senior Leader Mirza Abbas on Wednesday appreciated Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal for inviting their party to talks, but he said they will not participate in any dialogue with the Election Commission (EC) unless there is a change in the government.

“BNP was invited to join a dialogue with the Election Commission today (Wednesday). We didn’t take part in it as we neither understand and know Election Commission nor accept it,” he said.

Speaking at a rally, the BNP leader said they want the EC to be reconstituted under a new government after the dissolution of the current parliament and the departure of the current government. “We’ll participate in that election and we will join the dialogue of that commission.”

In response to the CEC’s comment that BNP would be repeatedly invited to the EC, Abbas said, “We thank you (CEC). You would invite BNP again and again because you would not be able to hold the election without BNP.”

He also warned that no one in Bangladesh has the ability to hold the election without BNP’s participation. “We won’t spare this failed, fraud and rogue government under any circumstances.”

Dhaka South City unit BNP arranged the rally in front of the Jatiya Press Club protesting indecent comments by a ruling party leader against BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman.

Abbas, a BNP standing committee member, urged the government to quit power and hand over power to a neutral administration. “I say enough is enough. You (govt) please free the people now (from your misrule).”

He said there is no problem for their part to accept if Awami League can come to power through an election under a non-party administration. “But the people of Bangladesh will never accept that you will be there in power without an election.”

Slamming Awami League general secretary Obaidur Quader’s comments that nothing matters if BNP does not participate in the election, Abbas said, “Even the CEC, the country’s people and Awami league understand that the election won’t be acceptable without BNP, but this government does not understand it.  Because the government thinks that they can come back to power without an election.”

About the countrywide load-shedding, he said electricity generation at many power plants remains stopped causing the power outages, but the owners of those plants will continue to get money from the government.

“Instructions have been given to keep ACs off in mosques and places of worship. But ACs will not be switched off in big government offices. Why will the AC be on there?’ he said.

Abbas criticised the government for increasing the cost of the under-construction elevated metro rail project by 52.24 per cent like the Padma Bridge project.

“The revised cost now stands at Tk 33,471.99 crore from Tk 21,985.07 crore. We understand due to the strong current of the river, the ground beneath the pillars of the Padma Bridge has shifted. Is the soil of Dhaka city now moving, forcing you to enhance the cost?