Though the BNP placed its demand for a specific election roadmap again alongside the trial of fascists and completion of reforms, the party leaders said they failed to receive any assurance this time as well in this regard, during their meeting with Chief Adviser Prof Yunus on Saturday.
“Reform, trial [of fascists] and election came up for discussions at the meeting. We said these things are mutually exclusive,” said BNP Standing Committee member Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain.
He made the remarks while speaking to reporters after an over hour-long meeting with the Chief Adviser at his official residence, Jamuna.
Replying to a question on whether they get any response regarding a specific election timeframe, BNP Standing Committee Member Salahuddin Ahmed said, “We made our demands… But he (Prof Yunus) didn’t say anything specific about it.”
He, however, said the Chief Adviser’s office may give its reaction in this regard later through a media briefing.
Asked whether they were satisfied with the meeting outcome, Salahuddin said, “No need to respond to this question.”
Replying to another question, he said they also demanded the resignation of the National Security Adviser and two student advisers, as the government’s impartiality is being undermined because of them.
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In response, Salahuddin said the Chief Adviser told them that they would look into the matter.
BNP Standing Committee member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury said the discussions mainly focused on three topics: reform, trial, and the election.
“We are clear about the reforms, and they have agreed that the reforms should be done on the basis of consensus and that the work can be completed very quickly. There is no disagreement here,” he said.
He said they also discussed that the judiciary will hold the trial of the fascists, and the Chief Adviser has no disagreements regarding the discussion about bringing them to justice.
“So it is possible to hold elections before December. This discussion has taken place here,” Khosru said.
Earlier, Mosharraf read out to journalists a written summary of the letter they had handed over to the Chief Adviser during the meeting.
The BNP leader said they demanded that the government immediately complete the necessary election-related reforms and promptly announce a roadmap to hold the national election by December.
Mosharraf said reform is an ongoing process and their party hoped that the government would carry out the reform based on consensus with everyone. “The reform will be ongoing. If we are elected by the people in the future, we will make efforts to implement the reforms on an ongoing basis.”
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He said they clearly demanded a quick roadmap for the national election by December next. “The people of Bangladesh believe that the main responsibility of the interim government is to complete the process of transitioning Bangladesh to democracy quickly through a fair and impartial election.”
The BNP leader said the longer the election is delayed on any excuse it will prepare the ground for the return of autocracy. “The responsibility for this will lie with the current government and those associated with it.”
He said they also stated that the advisory council must be reconstituted by excluding controversial advisers, in the interest of upholding the government’s neutrality and ensuring a free, fair, and impartial election.
The BNP leader said they are in favour of the trial of fascists and their cohorts, as their party leaders and activists were subjected to severe repression during the autocratic Awami League regime.
As such a trial cannot be concluded within a specific timeframe, he said that if the BNP comes to power, any unfinished trials will be pursued and completed through an independent judicial process.
Regarding various recent rumors and speculation, Mosharraf said their party has never asked for the resignation of the chief adviser. “On the contrary, our party has been providing all-out support to this government since day one."
BNP Standing Committee member Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan said they clearly told the Chief Adviser that if he simply announces to arrange the election promptly, the anarchy currently prevailing in Bangladesh and the deteriorating law and order situation will be resolved, leading to the restoration of peace, order, and democracy in the country as a result of that one announcement.
Earlier, a four-member BNP delegation, led by Standing Committee Member Dr Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, joined the meeting with Chief Adviser Prof Yunus as part of efforts to defuse mounting political tension in the country.
The meeting that began at 7:35pm at the Chief Adviser’s official residence Jamuna ended around 8:40pm.
Vice Chairman of the National Consensus Commission Ali Riaz and Local Government Adviser Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan were also present at the meeting.