Dhaka, April 24 -- The BNP has served show cause notices on 64 party leaders for taking part in the first phase of the upazila polls in defiance of the party's decision to boycott the elections to the local bodies.

Among the defying leaders, 24 are vying for the post of upazila chairman while 21 for the vice-chairman post and 19 for the position of female vice-chairman, according to the statistics of the BNP central office.

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Party senior leaders said those who will fail to come up with satisfactory replies or fail to respond, will be expelled from all positions in the party, including primary membership.

A BNP assistant office secretary, wishing anonymity, said a total ...