BNP senior leader Mirza Abbas on Wednesday expressed doubts over whether the interim government will hold the election timely in line with people's expectations as some cohorts of Awami League affiliates are trying to mislead the Chief Adviser to disrupt the polls.
"The Election Commission will conduct the election as per people's expectations. Dr Muhammad Yunus has placed us in an embarrassing situation by suggesting that the election will be held in December or June," he said at a discussion.
Ganatantra Forum organised the programme titled ‘Democracy, Reform and Reality in the Current Context’ at the Jatiya Press Club.
After the Chief Adviser said the election would be held by December, the BNP leader pointed out that one of his officials had stated it would take place by June. “He (CA) later endorsed it. So, there is quite a strong argument to be made that this is an effort to prevent the election from taking place.”
Abbas, a BNP Standing Committee member, said there is a saying—hope for the best and prepare for the worst. “From that worst-case thinking, I believe the government probably won't hold elections anytime soon. I see no indication of that happening. This is my personal opinion, not my party’s.”
He alleged that a smokescreen has been created around the upcoming national election due to the immature and childish behaviour of certain political parties.
“What some parties have begun saying—that there will be no election unless this or that conditions are met—is deeply concerning. If this, how the election will be held,” the BNP leader said.
He also said some of these parties have already said they will not go to the election. “Let’s be honest—just a few days ago, hardly anyone in Bangladesh even knew who you were. And now you're issuing threats about boycotting the election. Such threats are pointless and serve no real purpose.”
Abbas said BNP wants both reforms and elections. “But there is no need for unnecessary reforms beyond what the people require. Elections are the alternative to elections. We must hold the election after implementing the reforms necessary for the people of the country.”
He warned Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus that cohorts of the Awami League, including four serving secretaries, a retired secretary and some advisory council members, would attempt to steer him away from the right path. “They will destroy all your achievements and reputation.”
Abbas described retired diplomat Mohammad Sufiur Rahman, who was recently appointed as a Special Assistant, as a “product of the Awami League.”
“There are more Awami League products on your right and left,” he said, addressing the Chief Adviser, urging him to be careful of them. “They will derail you.”
Abbas said the BNP and the people of the country want to uphold the dignity of Professor Muhammad Yunus and ensure the Chief Adviser’s success in building a prosperous Bangladesh.
He strongly criticised National Citizen Party (NCP) Convenor Nahid Islam for his recent remark that a national election is not possible under an administration allegedly controlled by pro-BNP officials.
Abbas dismissed the comment as immature, likening it to the way children argue—refusing something without proper reasoning.
He explained that the BNP no longer has any presence within the administration, claiming that the fascist regime in power over the past 16 years had strategically embedded its associates across government institutions, including within the secretariat.
The BNP leader questioned why NCP leaders fail to speak out against those fascists and enemies of the nation who still remain in place in the administration. “What if I say you are receiving illegal benefits from them?”
He said former fascist ruler Sheikh Hasina, along with her party leaders, activists and government officials in the administration and law enforcement agencies who were involved in misdeeds, must be brought to justice.
“Our struggle against those who want to rehabilitate the Awami League in the country will continue,” the BNP leader said.
Abbas emphasised the urgent need for national unity in Bangladesh, stating that the country is currently in a dire state.
He warned that if the people of Bangladesh become divided, the country risks once again falling under Indian hegemony.
The BNP leader thinks that regardless of political affiliation—be it BNP, Jamaat, NCP, or any other party—all must remain united in the interests of the nation and its people, rising above differences of opinion among them.
Abbas said the true strength of the Bangladeshi people lies in their unity.
“We may not have many weapons or vast resources, but we have unity—and we proved that in July and August when national unity enabled us to challenge the fascist regime. This kind of unity was also seen during the Liberation War in 1971, when the entire nation, except for a few individuals, stood together. To protect the country’s independence and sovereignty, we must now unite once again,” he added.