Dhaka, Feb 23 (.) Local Government Minister and BNP leader Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Monday said the new government has not approved the reopening of offices of the currently-banned Awami League across the country, and the issue will be dealt with in accordance with the law.

Speaking at a press conference at the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) central office in Nayapaltan, Alamgir, who also serves as BNP secretary general, responding to reports about the renewed political activity of AL offices in various parts of the country, said “We did not want this.”

“Since their activities are legally prohibited, the matter will be handled according to the law everywhere.”

Declining to elaborate on any specific steps the government might take, he instead merely indicated that any action that would be taken, will be in accordance with the existing legal provisions.

Turning to electoral matters, the minister said that local government elections were among the government’s top priorities. He stressed that there would be no unnecessary delay and that polls would be organised at the appropriate time, taking into account statutory requirements and the expiry of current terms.

Alamgir said that under the leadership of the newly-elected Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, the party was working towards building what he described as a “new Bangladesh”. He expressed hope that the BNP would continue to strengthen organisationally and that the government would be able to fulfil its objectives.

On the issue of nominations for reserved women’s seats in parliament, Alamgir said the matter falls within parliamentary procedures. He indicated that priority would be given to candidates with a strong record of public engagement and active involvement in party affairs.

No final decision has yet been taken on whether more than one member of the same family could be nominated for such seats, he added.

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