BNP senior leader Nazrul Islam Khan on Friday alleged that all the constitutional bodies, including the Election Commission (EC), have become dysfunctional due to politicisation and nepotism.

“All spheres of society are being ruined. Some state organisations have been destroyed by politicisation while some others by nepotism. All the constitutional institutions of the state have been weakened and made useless,” he said.

Speaking at a doa mahfil, the BNP leader bemoaned that a constitutional body like the Election Commission (EC) has become so submissive that it always waits for the government’s signal to “carry out orders”.

Dhaka south city unit of Jatiyatabadi Swechchasebak Dal arranged the programme at BNP’s Nayapaltan central office, seeking divine blessings for the speedy recovery of its general secretary Abdul Kader Bhuiyan Jewel and other leaders.

Nazrul, a BNP standing committee member, said the EC sought their party’s opinions about its proposal on changing the local government election laws by 1st November. “We gave our feedback within the stipulated time (Nov 1). But they issued another letter on November 4, extending the time to November 15 going beyond rules. They surely did it as per the ruling party’s dictate as it failed to give its feedback by November 1.”

He criticised Jatiya Party, the main opposition party in parliament, for what he said its subservient role. “Before saying anything, they first think whether the government will get offended or not. There’s such an opposition party in parliament.”

The BNP leader alleged a one-party governing system has been enforced in the country as no opposition party is allowed to survive here. “I say such a situation is as harmful to democracy as coronavirus to people.”

Nazrul said their party founder Ziaur Rahman restored democracy, press freedom and the independence of the judiciary and took the country forward. “But democracy was obliterated again by killing him. Begum Khaleda Zia restored it further after fighting for nine years. Though she’s there at her home, she’s in fact now imprisoned on false charges.”

He alleged that the Prime Minister has sent her archrival Khaleda Zia to jail to cling to power without any challenge since she is not brave enough to face the BNP chief politically.

Mentioning that Khaleda is very sick, the BNP leader urged all to pray for her quick recovery.