Advisory council's statement 'misleading': BNP

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has expressed disappointment as the interim government has yet to present a specific roadmap for the next national election, even after Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus' meeting with political parties.

The party has also called 'misleading' the advisory council's statement that the government is being made impossible to perform duties under the auspices of the defeated forces and as part of a foreign conspiracy.

BNP made the remarks at a press conference at the party chairperson's Gulshan office on Tuesday. BNP Standing Committee member Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain read out a written statement there. The party, however, said it is possible to stop the auspices of the defeated forces and foreign conspiracy only through a fair and neutral national election as soon as possible.

The people believe that elections should be the main agenda of the government, otherwise it will be difficult for BNP to continue its cooperation with this government.

"We are disappointed that the government's statement received through his press secretary regarding the Chief Adviser's discussions with political parties did not announce a clear roadmap for the national election," Mosharraf said.

BNP and other political parties have never asked for resignation of the Chief Adviser. "But we have been demanding a roadmap for a fair national election by December 2025," he added.

Since reform is an ongoing process, both the reform and the election process can go on simultaneously. The trial process of the fallen fascist forces and individuals will continue.

The accusation raised by the government that the normal working environment of the government is being destroyed by unreasonable and purposeful demands and statements beyond its jurisdiction from various quarters is basically the government's own achievement, BNP claimed.

Greater national unity against fascism is needed to keep the country stable, advance elections, trial and reforms and to permanently prevent the arrival of dictatorship in this country.

"We are committed to preventing any activities that hinder the government's independence, reform initiatives, trial process, fair elections and normal activities at all times."

The party demanded that the government arrange BNP leader Ishraque Hossain's swearing-in as a mayor of the Dhaka South City Corporation. BNP standing committee members Mirza Abbas, Abdul Moyeen Khan, Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury and Salahuddin Ahmed were also present at the conference.

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