Dhaka, May 2 -- Tarique Rahman has alleged that an atmosphere is being deliberately fostered in Bangladesh where demanding elections is portrayed as "a criminal act".

Speaking virtually from London on Friday during the founding anniversary of the Amar Bangladesh (AB) Party, the BNP's acting chairman said: "As a political party committed to meaningful reform of state and politics, and to the empowerment of citizens, the BNP has always called for a directly-elected parliament, government, and representatives through public vote."

"It is a normal democratic principle that political parties will call for elections."

"But what we are witnessing in recent days is a carefully orchestrated atmosphere where even raising the issue of elections i...