No specific response from Yunus: Parties mount pressure on interim govt for election roadmap

Dhaka: Bangladesh’s political landscape witnessed a dramatic shift as the nation’s top three political parties demanded a definitive election roadmap from the interim government led by Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus. 

However, sources indicated that Yunus offered “no specific response” to the party’s demands during the discussion.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Jamaat-e-Islami, and the National Citizen Party (NCP) on Saturday reiterated their call for elections to be held between December and June during a crucial meeting with Yunus at his official residence.

As part of an attempt to ease the escalating political tensions, the BNP restated its demand for the removal of three advisory council members — student representatives Asif Mahmud and Mahfuj Alam, along with National Security Adviser Khalilur Rahman, according to the sources.

“We were not informed about the meeting’s agenda in advance. However, we’ve handed the chief advisor a written statement on the current overall situation, demanding the resignation of three advisors for fair elections. We’ve also demanded bringing Awami League leaders to justice,” BNP delegation leader Khandker Mosharraf Hossain told reporters after the meeting.

“We are in favour of justice. We want an independent judiciary. The remaining trials will continue even if BNP comes to power,” he added.

However, the BNP said that even though the party placed its demands in front of Yunus, the Chief Advisor “did not provide any specific response.”

Emphasising urgency, Hossain warned that delays in announcing an election roadmap would deepen concerns about the possible return of authoritarianism.

“A roadmap for holding national elections must be announced quickly. Reforms will continue. They will continue even when we come to power,” he said.

BNP Standing Committee member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury maintained that reforms must be consensus-driven and that elections were feasible before December 2025.

Echoing the demand for advisor resignations, committee member Salahuddin Ahmed called for the removal of Khalilur Rahman, Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan, and Mahfuj Alam.

Following the BNP’s meeting, Chief Advisor Yunus also held separate talks with Jamaat-e-Islami and the NCP.

During the discussions, Jamaat pressed for a clear timeline for elections as well as for judicial processes against Awami League leaders accused of involvement in the mass killings during the July uprising, sources said.

Jamaat leaders reportedly supported Yunus’ proposed election window of December 2025 to June 2026, stating that reforms could follow the polls. The party stressed the need for a level playing field for all political entities and fair opportunities for even the smallest parties, sources noted. (IANS)

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