United News of Bangladesh

BNP expressed disappointment on Tuesday as the government has yet to present a clear and specific roadmap for the next national election, even after Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus’ recent meetings with political parties. Speaking at a press conference, BNP Standing Committee member Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain also said their party found the statement made by the advisory council prior to the meetings with political parties to be vague and misleading. “We are disappointed that the government statement that came through the Chief Adviser’s press secretary regarding his meetings with political parties lacks a clear roadmap for the national election,” he said. He reaffirmed that the BNP and other political parties have never called for the resignation of the Chief Adviser, nor do they seek it now. “But we have consistently called for a roadmap for a free and impartial national parliamentary election by December 2025 under the leadership of the interim government,” Mosharraf said. Amid political tension and various speculations, with Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus had separate meetings with BNP, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, and the National Citizen Party (NCP) on Saturday at his official residence, Jamuna. He also held meetings with 20 other political parties the following day. Announce election roadmap or lose BNP’s support: Khosru to govt The BNP Standing Committee organised the press conference at the BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office to share the party’s reaction to the recent meetings between political parties and the Chief Adviser. The BNP leader reiterated the party’s demand for the immediate announcement of a clear and specific roadmap for holding the national election by December this year. “We demand the immediate announcement of a specific roadmap for the formation of a national parliament by December 2025 through a fair, free, and impartial election,” he said. Mosharraf also said the election—reflecting the highest aspiration of the people—should be the top priority of the current government. “Otherwise, it will be difficult for BNP, as a party of the people, to continue its cooperation with this government,” the BNP leader said. Embracing the spirit of the student-led July mass uprising, he said the utmost priority now is to establish an elected political government as soon as possible, in line with public expectations, to restore the people’s lost democratic, constitutional, and human rights—particularly their right to vote. The BNP leader stressed that December remains the most suitable time for holding the next national election for a variety of reasons. “December is the right time for the polls, and we’ve been saying this not just recently, but for quite some time,” he said. Mosharraf observed that after December, the country will enter Ramadan, followed by the monsoon season and major public exams such as the SSC and HSC, all of which make elections difficult.  “Historically, elections have mostly been held in December or January, with only one exception in June due to unavoidable circumstances.” Three BNP bodies set to hold ‘massive’ youth rally in Dhaka Wednesday The BNP leader alleged that various excuses are being made to delay the election, such as the need to complete reforms and trials. He said the BNP also supports the trial of autocrats and their associates, but such trials must be conducted under an independent judiciary. The BNP leader emphasised that since reform is an ongoing process, both reforms and the electoral process can proceed simultaneously. Besides, Mosharraf stated that the trial process against the fallen fascist forces, their cohorts, their party, and those accused of crimes against humanity would continue.  The BNP leader also noted that the Advisory Council's statement had claimed the government was being made unable to fulfil its responsibilities due to incitement by defeated forces and as part of a foreign conspiracy. “We would like to say that it is only possible to stop the incitement of defeated forces and foreign conspiracy through a fair and impartial national parliamentary election as soon as possible. To achieve that goal, it is essential to present a specific roadmap for holding the national parliamentary election immediately—there is no alternative,” he said. Mosharraf expressed the hope that the interim government would run the state on the basis of consensus, in the interest of maintaining the country’s stability, preventing the deterioration of the law and order situation, keeping the prices of daily necessities within the reach of the people’s purchasing power and bringing dynamism to investment, business, and trade. Regarding the Advisory Council’s statement, he said, “We have observed that the statement presented to the nation by the Advisory Council after the NEC meeting lacks clarity and is misleading. From the very beginning, we have extended our fullest cooperation to the council in carrying out its responsibilities,” said the BNP leader. The BNP leader said a lack of neutrality and weaknesses in governance have naturally given rise to doubt and scepticism among the public. He once again called for the removal of controversial advisers to maintain the government's neutrality and prevent divisions among the political and social forces united by the spirit of the July student uprising. Mosharraf said the people shed blood to overthrow fascism and establish the rule of law, but recent activities of the government have raised public doubts about its intentions. Referring to the court verdict in favour of Ishraque Hossain as Mayor of Dhaka South City Corporation, he said a gazette has been issued, but the government has yet to arrange his swearing-in. “We hope the government will act without delay,” he added. BNP Standing Committee members Mirza Abbas, Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdury, Salahuddin Ahmed, Selima Rahman, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku and Hafizuddin Ahmed were also present at the press conference.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said on Monday that Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus informed them that his government is working to organise the next general election by December this year. “The Chief Adviser and those who were with him assured us that they will arrange the election very soon. He (Prof Yunus) has also said they are working to arrange the election by December this year,” Fakhrul said while talking to reporters after a meeting with the Chief Adviser. Mirza Fakhrul led a three-member BNP delegation during the 90-minute meeting with the Chief Adviser at state guest house Jamuna here in the evening. Bangladesh’s general election scheduled for Dec 2025 The BNP leader said his party hopes that the government will come up with a roadmap to arrange the election by December next as per their and the people’s expectation. Replying to a question when the government would announce the roadmap, he said the government will determine it. “Probably, they will say something about it by February 15,” said Fakhrul. The BNP secretary said his party has been telling this government repeatedly that they are an interim government. “We’ve again asked to hold the election soon (during the meeting),” he said. He said they talked about holding the election soon after completing minimum reforms on the basis of consensus to be reached through discussions. "What we believe is that the transition towards a democratic government and a democratic system will be much easier if there is an election," said the BNP leader. BNP delegation sits with Chief Adviser Replying to a question, Fakhrul said they would not accept any election other than the national one. "We do not agree in any way with holding local government elections first. We have said this before, and we continue to assert that there will be no elections before the national election." Regarding the recent incidents of violence, vandalism, and arson attacks, the BNP leader said the government cannot escape responsibility for these incidents. “This is because these incidents occurred in front of various government institutions and forces. We believe these incidents have significantly undermined the overall law and order situation, as well as the stability of the country,” he said. Fakhrul also said these incidents have emboldened the fascists to raise their voices. “We have called for bringing all the fascist elements within the administration to justice and, at the same time, removing them from their positions,” he said. The BNP leader said their party has demanded steps be taken to recover the laundered money of those who have damaged the economy and looted public funds, and to bring them to justice. BNP to hold rallies in 64 districts in 8 days “At the same time, we have also called for the withdrawal of false cases filed against political leaders and activists over the past 15 years,” he said. Fakhrul strongly criticised the recent price hikes in commodities. “We have said that one of the failures of this government is its inability to control the prices of goods,” Fakhrul said. He said the government had informed them that they are working to control commodity prices. Regarding the joint forces' “Operation Devil Hunt,” the BNP leader cautioned the government to be careful to ensure that no untoward incidents are repeated, as during similar operations in the past. “This means innocent people should not be harmed, and no problems should arise as a result,” he said. Future Bangladesh to ensure justice, equal rights: Jamaat Ameer Finance Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed, Law Adviser Asif Nazrul, and Industry Adviser Adilur Rahman were present at the meeting with the Chief Advisor. Two other members of the BNP delegation were Standing Committee members Salahuddin Ahmed and Hafiz Uddin Ahmed.