DHAKA: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina hoped that all parties, including BNP, will participate in the upcoming elections in three City Corporations.

“At the moment it seems to be that candidates backed by all the parties will contest the elections,” she said in the cabinet meeting at the Secretariat on Monday.

The cabinet members, during the meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, joined an unscheduled discussion on the Dhaka North and South and Chittagong City Corporation elections.

At the end of the meeting, more than one member of the cabinet informed the banglanews about the discussion.

Some of cabinet members, in the meeting, said if BNP joins the polls, the acts of violence will not be tolerated.

Prime Minister said that all parties, including BNP, would hopefully participate in the city elections. Till now, people blamed the government’s unwillingness to hold The Dhaka City Corporation elections. Let see either people want the election or the movement, she added.

Many aspects of upcoming elections, including candidate selection for Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC), have been discussed in the meeting. They discussed on Syed Khokon and Haji Selim about their wining chance in the DSCC polls.

Cabinet members expressed their opinion about both probable candidates.

During the time, Food minister Kamrul Islam and Shipping Minister Shahajhan Khan spoke upon verification of the competency of candidate in giving support in the DSCC.

The premier heard everyone's opinion but made no comment. She also instructed all to work for single candidate nomination for councilor post, said meeting sources.

Syed Khokon got Awami League support in the Dhaka South City Corporation while Anisul Haque in the north. On the other hand, the party has given support to AJM Nasir in the Chittagong City Corporation election.

The election commission fixed April 28 for holding polls to Dhaka south city, Dhaka north City Corporations and Chittagong City Corporation.

Some ministers also said BNP is discussing about participation in the polls, but the bombings has yet to not been stopped. If they want to contest in the polls, they have to stop the bombings.

It will not be tolerated that the demonstration will continue across the country keeping the polling areas out of purview of the demo, the warned.

Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu, Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed and Agriculture Minister Matia Chowdhury also spoke in the meeting.

BDST: 1626 HRS, MAR 23, 2015