United News of Bangladesh

BNP Standing Committee member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury on Tuesday said there is a national consensus to hold the parliamentary election in February, before the holy month of Ramadan. “I think there is now a national consensus to hold the election before Ramadan. This view is shared by all parties. We do not see any disagreement on this matter,” he told a briefing at the BNP Chairperson’s office in Gulshan. The BNP leader said political parties reached this common ground for various reasons and the nation is united on the issue. BNP urges govt to inform EC of London meeting decision on election   Referring to the government’s indication that the election might be held in mid-February following the recent meeting between Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus and BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman in London, he said the nation has become happy over this decision. “I don’t see any problem with holding the polls in February.” In response to a question, the BNP leader said the Election Commission will announce the exact date of the election as per the directives of the government. “We will wait for that announcement. Surely, at some point, the Election Commission will declare the date and time. We must remain patient. We should not live in a constant state of restlessness.” Khosru urged all parties and people from all walks of life to remain tolerant and calm for the sake of peace and stability in the country. “If we completely lose trust, it will damage our political culture and create unnecessary instability. That is not good for any nation.” National election only way to restore democracy: Amir Khosru He said the nation is moving in the right direction towards democracy and expressed the hope that all existing political issues would be resolved through a fair election. “We must all have the confidence that democracy will be restored in the country.” Asked about Jamaat-e-Islami’s comments opposing the joint statement issued after the London meeting, the BNP leader declined to respond directly. “I do not wish to comment on statements made by other parties. Everyone has the right to speak and express their opinions.” He emphasised the importance of respecting differing opinions. “Even if we do not agree, we must respect the views of others.”

BNP senior leader Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury on Tuesday cautioned that the interim government risks losing the support of BNP and its like-minded parties if it stands against a democratic transition and fails to promptly announce a clear roadmap for the national election. “There is nothing above democracy. If you (govt) stand against it, then those of us who established this government with our support for a democratic transition — our support is not a blank cheque, and that support will not remain,” he told a discussion meeting. Khosru, a member of the BNP Standing Committee, however, said their party does not want such a situation to arise. “We want the government to play a neutral role and declare a roadmap outlining the steps it will take for a swift and impartial democratic transition. It must assure the nation that Bangladesh is moving towards democracy in the coming days and that people's ownership of the country will be restored,” he said. Democratic State Council arranged the programme titled ‘10 Months of the Interim Government: Questions of Democracy and National Security’ at the Jatiya Press Club. Amir Khosru warns of deepening crisis without elected govt Stating that there is no disagreement among political parties regarding reforms and the trial of fascist elements, the BNP leader questioned, “Then why is the government so afraid of presenting a clear roadmap and holding the election?” He said those who fear elections have no connection with the people, no relationship, no trust in them, and no confidence in the democratic order. Khosru said BNP wants democracy restored and the ownership of the country returned to the people, as they believe in politics based on public trust and support. He, however, alleged that a certain quarter is now trying to follow in the footsteps of the autocratic ruler Sheikh Hasina by blocking the path to national elections. “Sheikh Hasina did not hold credible elections because she knew that in a fair election, she would not be elected. Now the question arises - who else fears not being elected in elections? Is that why elections will not be held in Bangladesh?” the BNP leader asked. He said questions will arise about the neutrality of the interim government if it resorts to ploys in restoring democratic order. “So do they (govt) have any ambivalence about returning the government's democratic politics, and do they have any ambivalence about the elections? And what does it mean to bring in reforms and trials against the elections? These all are mutually exclusive and ongoing processes,” Khosru said. He said five or 10 people think they are wiser and they will decide Bangladesh’s future by leaving people out of the process. “So, where is the difference between Sheikh Hasina and them? We see no difference.” The BNP leader warned that the longer an unelected government stays in power, departing from democratic principles, the greater the risk of instability and the deeper the erosion of people's rights. Tarique Rahman expects most credible election soon under Dr Yunus Over time, he feared, even such a government will begin exerting pressure on the media to prolong its stay in power. "Power is a dangerous thing. If someone tries to stay in power without a mandate, their attitude will inevitably become authoritarian — no matter what form that government takes. We are already witnessing signs of that," Khosru said. He warned that the longer power is delayed from returning to the people, the deeper the country will fall into instability. "You who have set this trap will ultimately be caught in it yourselves," he said.

BNP leader Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury on Monday criticised Dr Muhammad Yunus for suggesting an interim government is still a good option, saying that people did not struggle for 16 years to hand the responsibility of the country to a ‘superhuman’ . “The 16 years of struggle were for the restoration of democracy, democratic order, and the return of the people’s voting rights and ownership of the country,” he said while talking to reporters after meetings with three political parties at the BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office. The BNP leader made the remarks in response to a journalist’s query about the Chief Adviser’s recent interview with Al Jazeera, in which he reiterated that the next national election would be held by June 2026 and asserted that people still consider the interim government a good solution and they are not saying the interim government go now. In response, Khosru, a BNP Standing Committee member, said, “The people of Bangladesh did not fight and make immense sacrifices to hand the responsibility of (ruling) Bangladesh to any superhuman. There is no reason to believe that the people of Bangladesh should wait for any great man to provide a solution for democracy.” The BNP leader said a government elected by the people’s votes will be accountable and responsible to people, and voiced confusion over whom Dr Muhammad Yunus referred to as the people who want the interim government to stay in power. The BNP leader said BNP is the major political party in Bangladesh, representing the country's people. BNP’s Khosru seeks immediate election roadmap for democratic transition Referring to their party’s recent meetings with political parties active on the streets against Sheikh Hasina’s regime, he said around 50 such parties have already firmly stated that the election should be held before December this year. Khosru suggested that the government should move towards elections by announcing a clear roadmap, after formulating a national charter based on reform proposals that political parties have reached a consensus on. Once the national charter is established, he said the government should immediately instruct the Election Commission to set a date and schedule for the election. Khosru questioned whether the Chief Adviser meant by "people" a certain quarter or government beneficiaries who stand against democracy and the people’s democratic rights. He also said it is not difficult to understand that these people, whom the Chief Adviser referred to, are putting democracy against reform. Khosru expressed the hope that the Chief Adviser will not back off from the commitment he made during the meeting with political parties about the election. “We want elections by December…the people have sacrificed their blood for establishing effective democracy by forming a government with their elected representatives,” he said. As part of BNP’s liaison committee’s ongoing discussions with like-minded political parties regarding the upcoming election, Khosru, along with BNP Standing Committee member Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku and Vice Chairman Barkatullah Bulu, participated in three meetings. People waiting for election by December: Khosru