BNP senior leader Nazrul Islam Khan on Sunday claimed that no political party, except pro-government ones, will contest the upcoming staged election.

Speaking at a discussion, he said his party will continue its movement without any compromise on the question of democracy and people’s right to vote.

Sammalita Peshajibi Parishad organized the discussion, titled “Shaheed Zia, Liberation War and Current Context,” at the National Press Club, marking Victory Day.

"A game is going on in the name of an election… Who will contest the election? No party, except pro-government ones, is participating in this election,” the BNP leader said.

Nazrul, a BNP standing committee member, said the candidates of the 12 parliamentary polls belong either to the ruling party or the 14-party alliance, the grand coalition and other political parties formed by the government.

“So it is surprising to me that law enforcement and government officials are being sent from village to village for such polls unnecessarily. What will they do?” he said.

The BNP leader also questioned why the government is spending Tk2,000 crore on a staged election when many poor people are starving and suffering.

Referring to a minister’s comment that jailed BNP leaders were offered to be freed if they participated in the January 7 national election, Nazrul said his party will never take part in a game in the name of polls.

He said: "We have said it before and we will say the same thing in the future that there is no room for compromise on the question of democracy, people’s voting rights and governance. We will do what people support.”

He called on the government to step down and take steps to hold a credible and inclusive election under a non-partisan administration. People will elect their representatives and they will run the state, he added.

Or else, Nazrul said, the BNP will continue its movement until democracy is restored in the country.