Dhaka, July 19 -- The third-largest political party in Bangladesh, Jatiyo Party, has expressed serious concern over the country's deteriorating political climate following a violent incident in Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's hometown, Gopalganj.

The party claims that there is no level playing field for the upcoming general elections, and no visible preparations are underway for the polls scheduled in February.

"The situation is very tense, obviously. It's not stable at all, very volatile and unpredictable. I think if the country is going for an election in February, I don't see any symptoms that the machinery of government and the political parties are genuinely preparing themselves for the election. Instead, what they are propagating a...