Last update on: Sun Apr 6, 2025 12:30 PM
Frustrated as the chief adviser has yet to clearly specify when the election will be held, the BNP is making preparations to take to the streets with a demand for polls by December.
The party plans to organise rallies and other events in the cities and district towns, according to several top leaders.
The BNP leadership believes there is an ongoing effort to delay the electoral process in order to prolong the interim government’s tenure under the pretext of reforms.
But before launching a mass movement, the leadership intends to hold a meeting with Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus.
The leaders hope they will get an election timeline from the meeting.
BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed said, “We will discuss the election date with him, and then we will consult our partners and like-minded political parties to finalise our strategy. After that, we will take our message to the people.”
In his March 25 televised address on the eve of Independence Day, Prof Yunus said the next election would be held between December this year and June next year.
He also mentioned that the Consensus Commission is collecting the political parties’ input on reforms.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir yesterday said the leaders will discuss the possible meeting with the chief adviser and the protest programmes at the next standing committee meeting.
The BNP held several demonstrations before Ramadan and then there was a lull.
Commenting on the interim government, a senior BNP leader said, “They’re using reforms as a pretext to extend their stay in power.”
Four days after Prof Yunus’s televised address, Fakhrul said, “The lack of an election roadmap reflects [the government’s] political inexperience. I am sorry to say this.”
Only a clear roadmap will solve the political crisis because the parties will then begin preparing for the election.
Many BNP leaders eager to be members of parliament campaigned in their constituencies during the Eid holidays.
Party high ups said they told such potential candidates to continue campaigning before a fresh programme is announced.
“A strong push must be made to mount pressure on the interim government to hold the election. We have recently held rallies in various districts to make our position clear. We will take to the streets again and gradually intensify the demonstrations,” said a standing committee member.
The BNP is also in discussions with like-minded parties to ensure a coordinated movement.
Party leaders say they will draw an elaborate strategy after the meeting with the chief adviser.
A senior leader said the meeting would take place by this week or the next.
The BNP has been demanding the interim government make the necessary reforms and leave the major ones for the next, elected government. The National Citizen Party and several others want the current administration to carry out all the reforms.
