Reopening of Awami League offices to be dealt legally: Mirza Fakhrul

Local Government Minister and BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Monday said any issue surrounding the reported reopening of Awami League offices across Bangladesh would be handled strictly in accordance with existing laws.

He made the comments while speaking to journalists at the BNP’s central office in the capital’s Nayapaltan, marking his first visit to the party headquarters since the BNP’s victory in the 13th Parliamentary Election.

Responding to a question about the government’s stance on the reopening of Awami League offices, Mirza Fakhrul made it clear that the BNP had not supported such initiatives.

He pointed out that there is a legal provision banning the party’s activities and stressed that authorities would examine the matter from a legal perspective wherever such incidents occur.

“There are clear legal provisions regarding their activities. The issue will be considered within that legal framework in every instance,” he said, underscoring that the government would act in line with the law rather than political considerations.

Mirza Fakhrul arrived at the Nayapaltan office at around 10:30am, where he was greeted by party leaders and activists. The visit carried symbolic importance, as it was the first time a senior BNP leader and cabinet minister returned to the office following the party’s electoral win.

Speaking about the party’s history, he recalled that many significant political movements and programmes had been launched from the Nayapaltan office under the leadership of former Prime Minister and late BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia. Those initiatives, he said, had played a vital role in mobilising public support across the country.

On the issue of local government election, Fakhrul said polls would be held in due course in accordance with established rules and procedures.

The government would review the tenure of different local government bodies and make appropriate arrangements to conduct election at a suitable time, giving the matter proper importance, he added.

Addressing a separate question about nominations for women’s reserved seats in Parliament, the minister said priority would be given to women who maintain strong grassroots engagement, active political involvement and close organisational ties with the party.

He reiterated that the government’s approach on all these matters would remain guided by constitutional and legal principles.