Says Patwary

NCP Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patwary yesterday said BNP's announced list of candidates for the upcoming national election is "disappointing" and "most of them are godfathers".

"We had expected that after the mass uprising, BNP would nominate some good candidates. But it seems they have tactically sidelined the young members of the Chhatra Dal and Jubo Dal. We welcome those young leaders to join our party," he said at a press briefing at the party office in Banglamotor.

"NCP had learned that Tarique Rahman might return soon. We want to sit together and resolve issues through discussion." He lauded Khaleda Zia for securing nominations in three constituencies and described her as a "symbol of democracy".

Patwary also voiced support for Prof Muhammad Yunus. "Dr Yunus is being intimidated -- sometimes by BNP, sometimes by Jamaat. I want to tell the chief adviser: If you are afraid, we are here. We fear no one -- not BNP, not Jamaat."