<div style="text-align: justify; "><span style="font-size: 1rem;"><b>The BNP has revoked the expulsion order against Romana Ahmed, the organizing secretary of its Meherpur district unit, as she stayed away from participating in the first phase of the upazila elections, expressing regret for defying the party's decision.</b></span><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The party decided to withdraw the expulsion order since Romana offered an apology during a press conference for participating in the upazila polls as a vice-chairman candidate, said a press release, signed by BNP assistant office secretary Taiful Islam Tipu, on Sunday.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Earlier on Friday, the BNP expelled its 73 grassroots leaders, including Romana, for participating in the first phase of upcoming upazila elections violating the party's decision.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Later on Saturday, the party expelled its three more grassroots leaders for taking part in the upazila elections.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The party said punitive actions were taken against its grassroots leaders as per the party’s constitution.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">According to the party press release, the leaders of BNP and its associate bodies who are contesting for the post of chairman, vice chairman and female vice chairman in the first phase of upazila polls in violation of the party's decision have been expelled from all party positions, including its primary membership.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">A total of 152 upazilas across the country will go to polls in the first phase on May 8 as per the schedule announced by the Election Commission.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The elections to 492 upazilas will take place in four phases. The second phase of upazila polls will be held on May 23 while the third phase on May 29 and the fourth phase on June 5.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The BNP high command earlier decided not to join any elections under the current government and the Election Commission. - UNB</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">bnbd24/fas</div>