BNP will meet Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on April 16 to press for a clear and specific roadmap for the upcoming national election and to resolve confusion surrounding the polls.
Party leaders said they will clearly state their demand for the national election to be held by December this year and seek clarity on the government’s position and intentions regarding the matter.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star’s Google News channel. The party also plans to discuss various other issues, including the ongoing reform process.
The meeting is scheduled to take place at 12:00pm at the state guesthouse Jamuna, confirmed BNP Standing Committee Member Salahuddin Ahmed to The Daily Star.
We will certainly want a specific roadmap for the upcoming national parliamentary election before December from the chief adviser.
Party leaders said BNP wants to understand the government’s plan and end the growing uncertainty surrounding the election; hence, they want to meet the chief adviser and get clear answers.
Earlier in the day, speaking to reporters at the party chairperson’s office in Gulshan, Salahuddin said, “We will certainly want a specific roadmap for the upcoming national parliamentary election before December from the chief adviser.”
“Given the confusion due to various statements from different parties, we will urge him to clearly present the roadmap through a proper process to remove the sense of instability and uncertainty,” he said.
Salahuddin said the roadmap should be formally presented to the nation to help restore political stability and boost economic activity.
“Earlier, we discussed with the Election Commission, and they said preparations would be complete by June. The chief adviser also assured us they are working to hold the election by December,” he said.
Salahuddin also spoke about the party’s reform proposals submitted to the National Consensus Commission.
BNP has proposed constitutional changes to restore balance within the state, including reinstating the caretaker government system by reverting the constitution to its pre-15th amendment form.
“But we have not called for abolishing secularism. That has been misinterpreted,” he said.
In another development, BNP yesterday announced plans to hold protest and solidarity rallies in the capital and major cities today in solidarity with the people of Gaza and Rafah in Palestine.
The rally in Dhaka will start at 4:00pm from the party’s Nayapaltan central office and move through Kakrail, Shantinagar, Malibagh, and Moghbazar before ending at Bangla Motor, according to a party press release.
Similar rallies will take place in major cities across the country.