Dhaka: The BNP-led 20-party alliance on Friday decided to join the upcoming Union Council polls unitedly as part of its ‘democratic movement’.

The decision was taken at a secretary general-level meeting of the alliance at BNP chairperson’s Gulshan office with BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir in the chair, according to UNB report.

Briefing reporters after the meeting, Fakhrul said, ‘The 20-party alliance has decided to take part in the Union Parishad polls all together as it thinks the government as part of its deep conspiracy has taken a unilateral move to hold the election along party line.’

He further said, ‘Despite that, the 20-party has decided to participate in the polls as part of its ongoing democratic movement.’

The BNP leader said though they know it very well from their previous experience in all other polls what will be the election results, the 20-party alliance is going to join the UP election to reach out to people at the grassroots level.

Fakhrul said they hope the government will not interfere in the activities of the Election Commission, allowing it to hold fair polls.

The Election Commission has recently declared election schedules for the first phase election in 752 Union Parishads fixing March 22 for balloting.

The Commission has worked out a plan to arrange elections to 4,275 Union Parishads out of the country’s 4,546 ones in six phases by June next.

Asked whether BNP is going to share UP seats with its alliance, Fakhrul parried the question saying it will be informed later.

He said the 20-party meeting voiced concern over the filing of a sedition case against BNP chief Khaleda Zia over her remarks on the number of Liberation War martyrs, and the slide in law and order situation.