BNP hails election timing

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) welcomes both the announcements of 'July Declaration' and the election time, made separately by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Tuesday.

"The whole nation was waiting for such an announcement (on the next general election). We hope that with the CA's announcement on the holding of the elections in the first half of February in 2026 would remove the prevailing confusions among the people over elections," BNP's standing committee member Salahuddin Ahmed told newsmen after the CA's announcement.

However, immediate reaction over the CA's announcement on holding next general election by mid-February next could not be available immediately from other political parties, namely Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and National Citizen Party (NCP).

Meanwhile, the much-talked-about July Declaration has drawn mixed reactions from various political parties following its readout, which formally recognises the July Uprising as a state and constitutional milestone.

The NCP welcomed the move, terming it a step in the right direction. Speaking to reporters on the National Parliament premises, NCP Convener Nahid Islam said, "We welcome the July Declaration. We will read it carefully and give a formal response. Congratulations! It has been finally made."

He added, "We have long expected that the July Declaration would receive state recognition. The government has drafted the declaration in coordination with various parties. We are satisfied, we are positive about it."

In contrast, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami expressed disappointment. Its Naeb-e-Ameer, Dr Syed Abdullah Muhammad Taher, said, "I think the aspirations of July have not been reflected in this declaration. From what date will it be implemented? Will it be implemented from tomorrow? That was not made clear."

He also noted that the party had demanded inclusion of the declaration in the constitution's preamble, which was not done. "The responsibility lies with this government. We are disappointed with a declaration that lightly ignores such an important issue. This nation is disappointed."

However, advisers to interim government expressed optimism about the July Declaration's unifying impact.

Law Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul told reporters, "It was very necessary to recreate the July Uprising, celebrate it, and highlight the July unity. We have been able to beautifully highlight what the state wants to achieve in the future, what are the aspirations of the young society, what are the aspirations of the mass uprising -- everything here."

Information Adviser Mahfuz Alam, however, offered only a cautious comment.

"So far, so good. I will not comment while I am in government. I am in trouble with a comment I made yesterday. So better I will write when I can write it properly," he said.

Still, he acknowledged the unity, saying, "It is a matter of great joy that all political parties have come. If we can remain united like this for a long time for the democratic struggle, for the fight against fascism; then the new Bangladesh that we want will be possible."

The July Declaration, announced by Chief Advisor Dr Muhammad Yunus, contains 28 points and marks the first state-level recognition of the mass movement that played a key role in reshaping the country's political trajectory.

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