A BNP delegation is all set to meet Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus on Wednesday to deliver a ‘strong message’ that the party will not accept any attempt to delay the national election beyond December this year.
Talking to UNB, BNP senior leaders said the party will also urge the Chief Adviser to issue a clear statement regarding the election timeline, urging an end to the ongoing December-June uncertainty.
They said their party will provide reasons and logical justifications for their demand to hold the national election within this year, particularly by December.
BNP leaders said their party will also call upon the head of the interim government to take necessary steps to complete the reform process by the coming June in order to dispel public concerns over a possible attempt to delay the election under the pretext of state restructuring.
They said if their demand is met and a clear commitment is given, the party will shift its focus to election preparations and devising strategies to win over voters.
If no consensus is reached during the meeting, BNP leaders indicated that they would launch a movement demanding the restoration of democracy and holding the national election within this year.
Party insiders said the BNP has outlined a series of peaceful programmes over the next three months as part of its organisational preparations for the 13th national election, expected in December. These programmes may include rallies, marches and processions, beginning at the grassroots level and expanding nationwide with large public gatherings.
The plan was initially worked out in a recent meeting of the party's organisational secretaries and has been informally communicated to the top leadership. “If BNP does not receive a clear message on the election timeline in the meeting with the Chief Adviser, the party may begin implementing these programmes by the end of this month.
According to the schedule, a BNP standing committee member, led by party Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, will meet the Chief Adviser at his official residence and state Guest House, Jamuna, at 12pm.
A BNP standing committee member, speaking on condition of anonymity, has expressed deep concern over what he described as a growing campaign aimed at postponing the national election and keeping the current interim government in power for five years.
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He said whenever BNP demands a clear electoral roadmap from the Chief Adviser, various advisers issue conflicting statements to divert attention from the issue.
As an example, he said, the Home Affairs Adviser recently claimed that the public wants the interim government to remain for five years, while Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter went so far as to say this government was ‘elected’ by people through a mass uprising.
The BNP leader said during the last meeting with their party, the Chief Adviser had promised that his government’s actions would be directed towards holding the national election by December 2025. “But he is still wavering between December and June. We’re witnessing coordinated efforts, especially on social media, to justify a delay. That’s why we’re meeting the Chief Adviser again to clear up our doubts and confusion.”
Contacted, BNP Standing Committee member Mirza Abbas alleged an attempt to prolong the election is visible. “There are people openly talking about keeping Dr Yunus in power for five years. But those trying to do that will not only damage his reputation but also cause serious harm to the country.”
Abbas said he still believes Dr Yunus is committed to holding elections by December. “But, some Awami elements surrounding him are trying to mislead him. That’s our concern going into this meeting.”
Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, another standing committee member, said BNP is still cooperating fully with the interim government.
“We do not want to create any trouble. Our goal is to convince the government to hold the election without unnecessary delay. If our demand is met, there will be no conflict. But if the government goes in the opposite direction, we too may take a different stance.”
BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed said their party will use the meeting to clarify the government's intentions. “We’ll remind the Chief Adviser of his promise to hold elections by December and urge him to publicly confirm it through a press conference. We’ll also ask him to direct the Election Commission to complete all necessary preparations accordingly.”
He said BNP is committed to reforms and has already put forward a 31-point state-reform framework well before the formation of the current government. “We won’t allow anyone to push their own agenda in the name of reforms.”
Asked about their next steps, Salahuddin said the party will decide on its future course of action based on the outcome of the meeting with the Chief Adviser.