Chief Adviser calls for strong national unity against fascist forces

Poor law and order situation and weak administration were highlighted in the two spells of meeting between Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus and leaders of 17 political parties and alliances.

The first meeting was held on Tuesday night with four major political parties and the second one was held with 13 political parties on Wednesday afternoon at the State Guest House, Jamuna, in Dhaka city.

During the Wednesday meeting, Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus emphasised the need for stronger political unity against fascist forces despite ideological differences and competition.

“Differences and rivalries may exist, but the unity of all political parties against fascism must be made more visible. Otherwise, these forces will perceive it as an opportunity to regroup,” he told leaders at a high-profile meeting with leaders of 13 political parties and alliances.

The meeting discussed national unity, the upcoming election, and resistance to fascist forces, official sources said.

Among the participants were Syed Hasibuddin Hossain of the Rashtra Sangskar Andolon, Zonayed Saki of the Ganosamhati Andolon, Mojibur Rahman of the AB Party, Shahidullah Kaiser of Nagorik Oikya, Nurul Haque of the Gono Odhikar Parishad, Redwan Ahmed of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), Ahmad Abdul Kader of Khelafat Majlish, Saiful Haque of the Revolutionary Workers Party, Tania Rob of the Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD), Shahadat Hossain Selim of the 12-Party Alliance, Bazlur Rashid Firoz of the Bangladesh Socialist Party (BASAD), Ruhin Hossain Prince of the Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB), and Mizanur Rahman of Gono Forum.

Addressing the leaders, Chief Adviser Yunus said, “As we approach the first anniversary of the July uprising, we had planned to commemorate the event with all political parties in unity — to remember the past together. This would have been a visible symbol of our shared resistance to fascism. But signs of conspiracy from the defeated forces have begun to surface even before the year has ended.”

“All participating political parties expressed their full support for sustaining political and public unity against fascism. They urged the Chief Adviser to take a firmer stance on maintaining law and order across the country. The party leaders also reaffirmed their commitment to the ongoing reform process, judicial restructuring, and a fair electoral roadmap,” said the Press Wing of the CA.

Furthermore, they proposed that the interim government organise regular all-party conferences in the lead-up to the next election to strengthen collective resistance against anti-democratic forces and to ensure transparency in the democratic transition.

The meeting concluded on a note of mutual understanding and political resolve to safeguard the country’s democratic future through unity, reform, and vigilance.

Earlier, on Tuesday night the CA had a meeting with leaders of four major political parties of the country who urged the government to take a stronger stance on maintaining law and order.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Standing Committee Member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury; Jamaat-e-Islami’s Nayeb-e-Ameer Abdullah Mohammad Taher and Assistant Secretary General Hamidur Rahman Azad; Islami Andolan Bangladesh’s Presidium Member Ashraf Ali Akon and Joint Secretary General Gazi Ataur Rahman; and National Citizens’ Party (NCP) Convenor Nahid Islam and Member-Secretary Akhtar Hossain took part in the meeting.

Following the meeting, Law Adviser Professor Asif Nazrul briefed journalists at 11 am. Press Secretary to the Chief Adviser Shafiqul Alam was also present during the briefing.

Asif Nazrul said the political parties raised two main points during the meeting. First, they emphasised the need for the government to take a firmer approach to law and order. They also acknowledged that there have been certain shortcomings in the government’s handling of security. Additionally, the BNP representatives stressed that the government should proceed fairly with the electoral process.

According to multiple sources present at the meeting, the discussions covered recent violence in Gopalganj, student protests and vandalism at the Secretariat on Tuesday, and demonstrations at Milestone College, among other law and order concerns.

All party representatives agreed that the government’s response has been weak, meeting sources said adding that the leaders called for stronger action and urged identification of intelligence failures and reactivation of law enforcement agencies.

Sources added that the BNP representatives stated that many ongoing issues would naturally subside once the election date is announced.

 Jamaat-e-Islami leaders expressed concern that many perpetrators of recent incidents have not yet been apprehended, urging immediate arrests to prevent further risks.

Chief Adviser Yunus remarked during the meeting that he finds dialogue with political leaders meaningful. In response, the political leaders affirmed that they would always respond positively to the Chief Adviser’s calls.

BNP and NCP leaders did not speak to the journalists waiting outside Jamuna after the meeting.

However, Jamaat’s Nayeb-e-Ameer Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher told reporters that there is a deliberate attempt to destabilise the country’s law and order. He pointed out weaknesses in both intelligence and administration, and said they had brought these concerns to the Chief Adviser’s attention.

He stressed the need for a more disciplined administration and improved coordination to ensure advance warnings of any possible incidents.

Gazi Ataur Rahman of Islami Andolan Bangladesh told the press that key government institutions like the Secretariat are experiencing unprecedented lapses in security. He said this is not typical of the past and urged the government to investigate whether intelligence and administrative failures are to blame. He called for a tougher administrative approach.

In his briefing, Law Adviser Asif Nazrul said the Chief Adviser emphasised the importance of making political unity more visible, as it would reassure the public. The political leaders responded by affirming their unity and noted that whenever the Chief Adviser calls, they promptly attend. They also participate in regular discussions at the National Consensus Commission.

Asif Nazrul added that the political leaders told the Chief Adviser they have no disagreement when it comes to resisting fascism. Some leaders acknowledged that occasional criticism of one another in political speeches is part of the democratic process.

mirmostafiz@yahoo.com