BNP decision to join municipal polls hailed

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday lauded the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) for taking part in the municipal elections and shunning the politics of destruction.
“At least they (BNP) didn’t opt to take the path of arson and burning, but instead chose to fight the elections. I appreciate them for this,” she said.
The prime minister was speaking after inaugurating the Book Festival at her official residence Ganobhaban.
Hasina said the BNP has become more aware and this was why they did not try to destroy the future of students by announcing any ‘destructive’
programme.
Recalling the start of 2015, the prime minister said the country had to pass through tough times due to the arson and bomb attacks carried out by the BNP-Jamaat alliance.
“That was very regretful,” Hasina said
She hoped such incidents would not repeat itself and that students in the country would be able to pursue their studies without hinderance. The BNP joined the municipal mayoral election, held on Wednesday, along party line for the first time.
Hasina also recalled the destructive activities of the BNP-Jamaat alliance during various public examinations in 2015 making students the worst sufferers. “I hope no one will resort to destructive activities in the name of movement and unleash arson-terrorism in future,” she hoped.
Meanwhile, the ruling Awami League swept the municipal elections, bagging 172 mayoral posts against BNP’s 21. Awami League rebels won in 17 municipalities while independent contestants bagged six, BNP rebel won in one, Jatiya Party contestants claimed one post while pro-Jamaat candidates was victorious in two municipalities
BNP candidates won in Panchagarh, Dinajpur, Jhaldhaka in Nilphamari, Gabtal, Bogra and Santahar in Bogra, Rahanpur in Chaipainawabganj, Naohata and Tanore in Rajshahi, Gopalpur in Natore,  Kolaroa and Satkhira in Satkhira, Phulpur in Mymensingh, Nabiganj,  Habiganj and Chunarughat, Barura in Comilla, Naogaon,
Charghat and Puthia in Rajshahi and Kalihati in Tangail.
Ruling party rebels who contested the polls as independents were victorious in Birampur in Dinajpur, Dhunat and Shibganj in Bogra, Chatmohar and Pabna, Gangni in Meherpur, Jibannagar and Chuadanga, Trishal and Ishwarganj Mymensingh, Madan in Netrakona, Karimganj in Kishoreganj, Manikganj, Boalmari in Faridpur, Golapganj in Sylhet, Kulaura in Moulvibazar, Sonargaon in Narayanganj and Kalia in Narail.
Independents also won in Phulbari in Dinajpur, Kotchandpur in Jhenidah, Barguna, Goalanda in Rajbari and Khagrachhari