DHAKA: In yet another major political conflict in Bangladesh, the National Citizen Party (NCP) warned of far-reaching consequences that could seriously impact next year's elections if it is denied Shapla (water lily) as its electoral symbol.
The remarks followed the Election Commission's (EC) recent directive asking the NCP to choose its electoral symbol from a list of 50 options, which did not include the "Shapla" that the party had demanded, according to local media reports.
Speaking to Bangladesh's leading newspaper, The Daily Star, NCP Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patwary stated that the party will work towards forming an independent and constitutional EC through democratic means if its demand is not met.
"If the NCP does not get the Shapla symbol, it will definitely affect the election. Without an independent commission, there can be no fair polls. If the election is not fair, there will be bloodshed on the streets. But we will try to avoid that. If our backs are against the wall, we will have no choice but to resist, " said Patwary.