BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Wednesday called upon the interim government to shift its focus on holding a participatory and credible national election from any other issue, as per the desire of people. Speaking at a discussion, he also urged Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus to remain alert so that people’s affection and respect for him are not diminished. “We need to give the government time and hope they will use it wisely.  Focus on the election without paying attention to other issues,” the BNP leader said addressing the government. He also said there is no alternative to holding a fair, neutral, inclusive and acceptable election to ensure the country's survival and progress. Because the greatest challenge we face now is to establish a democratic state. The BNP leader expressed hope that the government would arrange for an acceptable election within a reasonable timeframe, allowing the people to establish their parliament through their votes. "This is what the people want," he said. The National People's Party (NPP) organised the programme at Dhaka Reporter’s Unity (DRU) to mark its 17th founding anniversary. Fakhrul said the interim government has formed a search committee for the constitution of the Election Commission. “We expected that they (govt) would consult political parties before forming it, although we do not think this is a major issue, as we hope the committee will fulfill its responsibilities properly,” he said. The BNP leader hoped that the new election will arrange the election promptly. He noted that since the recently resigned Election Commission, led by Kazi Habibul Awal, arranged the election in three months, the new Commission should be able to do the same, saying that "it is certainly possible if there is the will to make it happen." The BNP leader said they believe this government has no political agenda, as its head has clearly indicated that he has no political ambitions. “I want to say to Dr Muhammad Yunus that you are highly respected worldwide, and the people of Bangladesh deeply love and respect you. They want that to continue. My request is that you stay vigilant to ensure your position is not undermined,” he said. Fakhrul said the nation is facing a critical time, pointing out that the struggle for democracy continues amid various plots. He warned that the state would be in great danger if any imprudent actions were taken or mistakes were made out of mere emotion, as many efforts are being made to threaten the nation’s existence. "We must remember these words.” He observed that everyone must remain vigilant, as the fascists are still active. “Merely changing an individual cannot alter the entire structure of fascism.” He said the youth have brought change to the country through a bloody struggle and immense sacrifices. “It’s also their responsibility to maintain it... we have to resolve many problems that we have. Stating that the interim government is a non-political one, the BNP leader said it has come forward to help the nation. “But politicians have to resolve the problems, and no problem can be solved without politicians.” Fakhrul thanked the government for forming several commissions for state reform. “We hope the government will take the reports from the reform commissions, present them to the people, and take it forward. I want to make one thing clear: all reforms must be ratified by the people and accepted by them.” He warned that reforms will never be sustainable without people's participation, emphasizing that success cannot be achieved by imposing reforms from above. “Ayub Khan tried, Ershad tried, but it was not possible. Nothing can be done that conflicts with our country and the culture of the people.”  

BNP Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan on Saturday said it is now a demand of the time to complete reforms quickly for establishing a government elected by the people. “One aspiration of 16 years’ struggle and the mass uprising of students and people in July-August has been fulfilled with the fall of fascism. But another aspiration is the restoration of democracy and the restoration of people’s rights,” he said addressing a rally in front of the Jatiya Press Club. The BNP leader said democracy needs to be restored in such a way that it cannot be used against the people. “True democracy and people's democracy must be reestablished. Therefore, it is now a demand of the time to establish an elected government and elected rule by completing the necessary reforms,” he said. Nazrul, a BNP Standing Committee member, warned that the longer the government takes time in holding the election, the more new organisations will emerge and many individuals will present various proposals and aspirations, claiming to represent the people's will. Jamaat calls for uninterrupted reforms dismissing constitutional constraints Even, he said, "If the biggest party in Bangladesh claims that this is the aspiration of the people, it will still not be valid until it is approved by the people." The BNP leader said the rule of the people needs to be established with the confidence of the public, and the democratic government must run the country as per the people’s consent and aspirations. "For that, I believe the necessary provisions should be incorporated, and the constitution should be amended." This rally was organised by the Moulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhasani Anusari Parishad, demanding the re-inclusion of Bhasani's biography in the seventh and ninth grade textbooks. Nazrul said the current interim government did not usurp power, as they were entrusted by all with the responsibility to address the people’s daily needs and materialise their aspirations. He said that people have the sole authority to make decisions on important matters related to their emotions, interests, and desires, and it is impolitic to impose any decision on these issues. No alternative to elected govt, says Khosru “We incorporated the system of referendum in the constitution so that people can express their opinions on important state issues, but the previous government deprived them of that right by removing the system,” the BNP leader mentioned. He said the provision of referendum should be reincorporated into the constitution to allow the public to express their views on significant issues. “It won’t be enough to rely solely on the opinions of a few learned and prudent individuals regarding matters that affect the people's interests.” Recalling the role of Moulana Bhasani, Nazrul said the Awami League regime attempted to erase the name and immense contributions of the great leader from history. “They (AL) have already been punished for it. They were not only defeated but had to flee. There is no such instance in the history of this country. Many leaders were previously assassinated and imprisoned, but no one fled the country,” he observed. People won’t wait indefinitely for elections: BNP  The BNP leader said that there are many reasons why the Awami League had to endure such a significant insult. “One of them is that they tried to erase the names of many great sons of the soil. They prioritised not just a party but a family, which is a political crime. They received their punishment. I believe this should be a lesson not just for them but for all of us politicians.” He said everyone’s place in history and their achievements and contributions should be acknowledged. “Otherwise, history won’t forgive you.”   

BNP senior leader Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury on Saturday said there is no alternative to establishing an elected parliament and government for restoring people's ownership of the country and fulfilling their aspirations. “Now is the time to restore people’s ownership of Bangladesh. This means fully ensuring their right to vote fully so that they can elect a parliament and government that will be accountable to them. There’s no alternative to this,” he said. The BNP leader made the remarks while speaking at the sixth national council of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh. Khosru, a member of the BNP Standing Committee, said that a monster like Hasina was created because she never required votes as she usurped power through one-sided elections repeatedly. People won’t wait indefinitely for elections: BNP  He said Sheikh Hasina snatched people's voting rights, violated human rights and undermined the rule of law. “Restoring people's ownership is the main issue now, and this must be achieved by holding free, fair and acceptable elections and reestablishing democracy.” The BNP leader said Sheikh Hasina was removed through a national unity. “We must maintain that unity to achieve our goal of restoring people's ownership of Bangladesh.” He insisted that there has been a significant shift in people's mindset, with new thoughts and aspirations emerging about the future of Bangladesh. Khosru said the nation must move forward to realise the people's desires by maintaining unity. “If politicians fail to understand the nation’s needs and changes in mindset, then politics will have no future,” he warned. He also said there should be no division among political parties on fundamental issues like democracy, human rights, the rule of law, and the economic emancipation of the people. The BNP leader acknowledged that while there may be differences of opinion among political parties, they must respect one another to fulfill people's desires through healthy political practices. He also said the only way to restore democratic order in the country is by holding credible, neutral, and inclusive elections through promptly carrying out electoral reforms. Khosru alleged that Sheikh Hasina has destroyed the country's institutions and political structure, which must be reformed. Banning BCL not enough, illegal arms holders must face justice: BNP He mentioned that their party, led by Khaleda Zia, first presented reform proposals six years ago by unveiling the Vision-2030. Later, the BNP leader said that their party, together with other democratic parties, put forward a 31-point proposal for state reforms. “These aren’t just BNP proposals as those were formulated with other parties who’re in our simultaneous movement. Reform isn’t new to us. We need to implement the 31-point reform and form a national government after the elections. We’re committed to this.” He said there are no differences of opinion about the need for electoral reforms to ensure a credible and acceptable election. “This is an easy task. You (govt) just need to form the election commission and update the voter list for a transparent election. The remaining basic reforms can be achieved through national consensus.”

BNP senior leader Gayeshwar Chandra Roy on Friday urged the interim government to prioritise completing electoral reforms fast, as people will not wait indefinitely for the next national election. “The interim government was tasked with the main issue of ensuring a credible election and restoring people’s voting rights.  However, it is focusing on other issues, straying from the primary problem,” he said. Gayeshwar made the remarks at an introductory meeting of the Munshiganj District unit Nari O Shishu Odhikar Forum at the BNP’s Nayapaltan central office. He expressed concern over various statements made by some advisers that have raised doubts about holding the election within a reasonable timeframe. “We’ll say Alhamdulillah for everything you do, but it should have a time limit, and patience has a time limit. Create a quick outline of the election and then do the rest,” Gayeshwar said. The BNP leader also pointed out that if the government attempts to address everything, nothing will succeed. "There is no need for new reforms, as the people won’t wait indefinitely for elections." Stating that it is the responsibility of politicians to reform the state, he said the interim government should not take months after months for the reforms. Gayeshwar noted that the BNP has already presented a 31-point reform outline which the government can review and engage in talks with political parties. “Reforms should be based on consensus with political parties. Political problems need to be resolved by politicians,” he observed. The BNP leader said that a plot of depoliticisation initiated during the 1/11 political changeover is still ongoing. "Politics has to be dealt with through politics.” “If you (govt) think that only students put you in power, then you are wrong, and you’ll stumble. The anti-autocracy movement is the final outcome of years of agitation by people of all classes and professions,” he said.

BNP senior leader Gayeshwar Chandra Roy on Thursday warned that their party leaders and workers will not sit idle if the next national election is not held within a reasonable time. "We want the people who won the country to elect their representatives to form a parliament and government with their votes through a free, fair and impartial election. This was the main point of the revolution,” he said. Speaking at a discussion at the Jatiya Press Club, the BNP leader said the nation has entrusted the interim government with the responsibility to hold the election to restore their voting rights. He said their party will provide the government with a reasonable timeframe for holding the next election.  “If that time passes, Ziaur Rahman's BNP, under the leadership of Tariq Rahman, will certainly not sit at home and eat peanuts. We will take necessary actions based on reality in the future.” Gayeshwar, a BNP standing committee member, said that they will observe what the government does for some days. “Then we will do what we have done in the past. A death warrant is not significant for us. None of us can be killed when we are ready to die.” Jagrata Bangladesh arranged the discussion titled ‘The responsibilities of the Interim Government and Political Parties in the current context of the country’. Without mentioning the name of any political party, Gayeshwar said some parties demonstrate through their activities that they are coming to power. "There’s no doubt that they are oppressed, but they did not liberate the country... we did it. The nationalist forces of Bangladesh liberated the country with the declaration of independence by Ziaur Rahman, who is the greatest freedom fighter of the country. He’s also the political figure who believed in democracy," he observed. The BNP leader said the interim government has banned the Chhatra League, which is a bold move. "We do not object to it, but whatever actions you take, consider the potential aftereffects." He mentioned that the deposed Awami League regime hanged many leaders of Jamaat-e-Islami and subjected them to torture. "But Jamaat did not ban a fascist like Sheikh Hasina." Rizvi said those who committed atrocities under the banner of various organisations and institutions and killed people and engaged in plundering are still living comfortably. "They should be held accountable and an example should be set for the consequences of wrongdoing." He questioned how so many people crossed the border and went abroad, asking, "Thanks to whom? Who encouraged and assisted them in escaping? Who will answer for this? Those who took shelter in the cantonment, how did they get abroad? Who provided the opportunity for criminals to escape without facing justice? Will the government answer for this?" The BNP leader called upon BNP leaders and workers to remain vigilant to prevent a constitutional crisis in the country.    

After gaining confidence from the fall of its main rival Awami League, the BNP is planning a major reorganisation over the next two months to get ready for the upcoming elections. Party senior leaders said the restructuring of committees at various levels will start in November and is expected to continue through December in accordance with the directives of BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman. While BNP leaders and activists are feeling hopeful after nearly a decade and a half of fatigue from political repression, legal battles and imprisonment, a sense of unease persists among its policymakers, as the interim government has yet to clarify precisely when the parliamentary elections will take place. In the changing political scenario, senior party leaders see securing elections from the interim government as their foremost challenge. Before launching various programmes to pressure the government to hold the elections as soon as possible, the BNP's top leaders are prioritising the strengthening and reorganisation of the party. A BNP standing committee member, wishing to remain anonymous, said a difficult and distressing chapter for the BNP has come to a close with the ouster of Sheikh Hasina’s autocratic government, “However, there remains considerable uncertainty about when the elections will take place.” “So, to achieve ultimate success and bring the party to power, the BNP must navigate various obstacles in the days ahead. We need to prepare our party not only for the election but also to tackle potential challenges. We are currently devising strategies to overcome these difficulties and ensure a fair, free, and impartial election,” he said. The BNP leader noted that weaknesses at various levels of the party were identified during the unsuccessful movement leading up to the January 7 election. “As a result, the process of forming new committees after the elections had also begun. But that process faced some disruption due to the student-led mass movement. Now, efforts have been renewed to reinvigorate the party.” BNP warns of conspiracies, urges vigilance He said the party's policymakers have decided to dissolve the expired committees in BNP's 82 organisational districts. “Several of these committees have already been dissolved, and new committees will be formed there.” BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, now in Australia, said their party is always ready for elections, as it is a party with the potential to come to power. “Those of us involved in BNP politics want to take responsibility for running the state and serving the people. We also do not have a shortage of suitable candidates in any constituency; we have four, five, or even 10 candidates per seat,” he said. The BNP leader said that they are actively working to revitalise the party through various measures, including the reconstitution of committees across the party and its different units. He said they are currently planning to launch a membership drive across the country, after which they will hold the national council ahead of the election. “I believe we should convene the council immediately to strengthen our electoral structure.” BNP's Senior Joint Secretary Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said that the reorganisation of the party is part of an ongoing process. “We are restructuring the party along with its various associate bodies and units, and this effort will be further intensified next month.” Another BNP leader expressed concern that the party's high command is worried about the lack of visible efforts to withdraw approximately 1.41 lakh cases against over 50 lakh leaders and activists. “Our party’s most senior leaders have been implicated in false cases, and some have even been convicted.” He said there were 37 cases against BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia, who was released after the August 5 political changeover when the President suspended her sentences in two cases, but she still faces 35 cases. Besides, the BNP leader mentioned that Tarique Rahman has 80 pending cases against him. “These cases should be withdrawn immediately so that we can adequately prepare for the election.”

BNP Standing Committee member Dr AZM Zahid Hossain on Monday called upon the interim government to swiftly create a favourable environment for the upcoming elections to facilitate the transfer of power to elected representatives. “In our 31-point proposal, we have detailed the reforms we seek. To implement these reforms, we urge the interim government to promptly create a conducive electoral environment and return power to people,” he said. Talking to reporters at BNP founder Zaiur Rahman’s grave, Zahid also strongly opposed the proposals from various political parties and civil society about implementing a proportional representation system in the upcoming parliamentary elections. Hasina’s quick fleeing means her resignation: BNP The BNP leader said the election must be held based on parliamentary seats system as prescribed by the constitution formulated in 1972. “No one can impose a proportional representation system against the will of people. It is ultimately up to people to decide which electoral process will be adopted.” Zahid along with BNP leaders and activists paid homage to Zia by placing a wreath at his grave, marking the homecoming of UK chapter BNP leaders, including its general Secretary Koysor M Ahmed after a long time. Zahid said the nation freed itself from autocratic rule as the despotic ruler Sheikh Hasina fled the country on August 5. “However, the associates of the autocrats remain in Bangladesh and are plotting to undermine the current interim government,” he said. BNP calls for relief support for flood-hit farmers in North, Mymensingh He said that their party has long been carrying out a movement that will continue until democracy is restored, people's rights are upheld, and an environment is created that allows citizens to peacefully exercise their right to vote for electing their representatives. The BNP leader said they will also continue their movement for the trial of those who oppressed people, committed genocide and engaged in enforced disappearances. When asked about the rumours that the Awami League president will hold a rally in India, Zahid said, "India is a sovereign country. I don't think India would allow its territory to be politically used against another country. I believe that Indian politicians and the government are not that foolish."

BNP Vice Chairman Shamsuzzaman Dudu on Sunday urged the interim government to promptly complete necessary state reforms to make sure that the next national election is held within a designated timeframe. “We have supported this government for doing good work. Reforms must be undertaken where necessary to ensure a fair election, but they must be completed within a specific timeframe,” he said. Speaking at a discussion meeting in the capital, the BNP leader expressed his belief that an elected political government is essential for advancing any positive initiatives and good work. “The people in the current government are from different professions who have got together to do good work. When we talk about the election, it doesn't mean it requires it to be held immediately, but there must be a clear timeline. This is why we have talked about an election roadmap,” he said. BNP calls for relief support for flood-hit farmers in North, Mymensingh The programme, titled ‘National Elections, Civic Thoughts, National Dialogue’, was organised by the Jatiyatabadi Desh Bachao Manush Bachao Andolan at Dhaka Reporters’ Unity (DRU). Dudu, a former president of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, urged the interim government and democratic parties to remain vigilant, as various conspiracies are being hatched both at home and abroad to create chaos and reestablish the fascist forces. He alleged that a vested interest group is attempting to malign the BNP and its leaders, Begum Khaleda Zia and Tarique Rahman. “I would like to warn them that if you aim to derail the BNP from its effective role, then fascism will emerge. If you want to suppress the BNP, you must effectively embrace fascism.” The BNP leader urged democracy-loving political parties to remain united for the cause of democracy and the welfare of the people. He said the head of fascism, Sheikh Hasina, along with her ministers and MPs, has fled the country, yet her followers in the administration remain unchanged. Andaleeve seeks commission on recovering laundered money Dudu noted that secretaries promoted during Hasina’s regime are still in their positions, and there has been no change in the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). “The structure established by Sheikh Hasina remains largely the same. There must be a distinction between the previous government and the current one, just as there is a difference between fascism and democracy. The previous government was fascist, while the current government is democratic,” he said. He also expressed frustration that the government has yet to dismantle the Awami Syndicate that controls essential goods. “So where is the change? This syndicate must be dismantled. There cannot be any market syndicate.”