Prime Minister’s Political Assistant Rashed Khan has said the BNP will nominate a single candidate in local government elections and take strict organisational action against anyone who contests against the party’s decision.

He made the remarks at a reception held at Shishu Kunj School and College in Jhenaidah on Sunday morning.

Rashed Khan said many candidates contested as rebels in the national election, but such an opportunity would not be allowed in the local elections. “There will be no scope to go against the party’s decision,” he said.

Referring to the ongoing load-shedding, Rashed Khan said people across the country are suffering severely because of the electricity crisis. He said the government understands the situation and is working to resolve it as quickly as possible. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has expressed regret over the situation, he added, claiming that no previous prime minister had apologised in such a manner.

On the fuel crisis, Rashed Khan said the ongoing war in the Middle East has created a shortage of fuel oil. Despite the crisis, Bangladesh adjusted fuel prices much later, he said.

He blamed the looting during the previous Awami League government and mismanagement during the interim government for the country’s current electricity crisis.

Addressing Jamaat-e-Islami, Rashed Khan said the party should cooperate with the government if it does not want fascism to return. He also said that Shariah law is part of a welfare-state system.