File photo.
Special Correspondent //

Despite the formation of a search committee, the fog over the elections does not seem to be clearing. BNP leaders are also skeptical about this. That is why the party wants a roadmap for quick elections. BNP policymakers say that there is no alternative to an elected government to implement the people’s aspirations and overcome the country’s crisis. Therefore, the interim government will have to quickly embark on the electoral road after completing the necessary reforms.

Leaders’ comments – If the government is sincere, national elections can be held in March or April next year. As a result, BNP will strongly demand unified elections within this period. This issue was discussed at the party’s standing committee meeting at the party’s Gulshan office last Monday night. In this long meeting, party leaders also discussed at length about the next steps. The meeting began at 8:30 pm. BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman joined virtually from London and presided.

The party’s policymakers agreed in the meeting that various crises could arise in the country if the election period is prolonged. They believe that the election roadmap is urgent at this time. But despite the formation of the search committee, the government’s lack of clarity on the election timeline is raising doubts among the party’s top leaders. Sources say that in the meeting, the leaders believe that it is possible to hold the national election in March or April of next year; they presented various arguments in this regard.

At the same time, everyone agreed to make a strong demand to the interim government that the election should be held in March-April. However, another leader said that the March-April period is too early for the election. This leader believes that setting a deadline of September next year for minimum reforms in the state would be reasonable.

During the meeting, a senior BNP leader said in this regard, without directly demanding an election at this time, we can say that it is possible to hold the election in March or April. Not only that; we can present proper arguments to the nation about the process by which it is possible. Based on this leader’s opinion, other leaders proposed to hold a press conference detailing when the election roadmap will be held and the process by which it should be announced. The main leader of the meeting, Tarique Rahman, agreed to this.

BNP leaders said in the meeting that even though the Awami League government fell in a revolution or coup, the interim government was formed through constitutional means. Therefore, it would not be logical to take any decision ignoring that constitution. The party believes that if the constitution is declared null and void in the current situation, a constitutional crisis or political crisis will arise in the country.

The meeting came to the opinion that the government should announce an election roadmap as soon as possible, as well as focus on controlling the prices of daily necessities and improving the law and order situation. BNP will be vocal about early elections in all its organizational and political programs in the coming days. Through this, the party will continue to pressure the government.

When asked, BNP Standing Committee member Dr. Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain told the media, “We have not fixed a date and time for the interim government in this regard from the beginning. We have repeatedly said that these elections need to be held very soon. The government has not yet made any statement about the time of the elections, which is disappointing. That is why we now have to say loudly to the government – ‘Hold elections quickly’.” This senior BNP leader claims that as time goes on, the interim government will feel the need for early elections, and the government has already begun to realize this.

Another member of the standing committee, Major (Retd.) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, said that the formation of a search committee is good. But when the elections will be held is still unclear. That is why the urge to announce the roadmap is getting stronger. He said that there was no need to draft so many constitutions after dismissing the fascist government. The interim government could have formed the Election Commission by talking to the political parties directly. Now, let them quickly complete the reform work and make arrangements for the elections. Because, the people of the country are looking forward to an election.

On October 30, the Election Commission Secretariat informed the Chief Advisor of the interim government, Muhammad Yunus, about the necessary preparations for holding a free and fair election. Dr. Yunus was informed that the first step in holding a fair election would be to prepare a proper voter list. This may take 9 to 10 months. In view of this, there was a significant agenda at the BNP’s Monday meeting – the issue of revising the voter list. It was learned from some leaders present at the meeting that at the beginning of the meeting, the party’s Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam discussed the reasonable timing of the elections. After that, the leaders expressed their opinions.

Most of the BNP leaders in the meeting argued that compiling a new voters’ list at this time is a time-consuming matter. There are various complications in this process. This will further delay the election deadline. As a result, the BNP will not support the government’s plan to compile a new voters’ list. However, they have no objection to the fact that some ‘corrections and inclusion of new voters’ should be made in the old list for the sake of fair and impartial elections.

The ‘Search Committee’ has sought names by November 7 for the formation of the new Election Commission (EC). According to the decision taken in the first meeting, political parties, professional organizations and anyone can personally submit names for the cabinet department. Expressing dissatisfaction over this, two leaders of the party said in the meeting that it is doubtful whether the importance of BNP to the government as a ‘major political party’ has decreased. Before forming the commission, the government could have sat separately with the BNP. Now, the BNP will have to submit five names along with everyone else to form the search committee – this is unacceptable.

According to meeting sources, the top leaders criticized Jamaat’s activities in various ways in the meeting. One leader said in a very angry voice, ‘Jamaat is eating halwa roti by maintaining liaison with the government without coming to power; this is completely excessive’. Another leader said, ‘It is doubtful whether those who will win even a single seat will be able to win; they are now talking big words. Their own people are being appointed in all parts of the administration. The media is also publishing them.’ It is time for us to think about these things.

Former Cabinet Secretary Ali Imam Majumdar was first appointed as a special assistant to the interim government’s chief advisor, Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus. Later, he was appointed as an advisor. However, there are serious doubts and objections about him in the BNP. In view of this, the leaders in the meeting raised a strong voice in favor of removing him from the advisory post.

Some leaders said that Ali Imam Majumder and his PS Ahsan Kibria are special people of the Awami League. Director of Sheikh Hasina’s Prime Minister’s Office for one term (2015-2020), Director General for two terms (2020-2024). This Ahsan Kibria was also the Director General of Sheikh Hasina’s Prime Minister’s Office on the day of the mass uprising of the students and the public. This Ahsan Kibria has now been made the running PS by Ali Imam Majumder. When this Ali Imam Majumder was the Cabinet Secretary (2006 to 2008), Ahsan Kibria was his private secretary.

The leaders raised the question – if Awami League friends get a place in the Advisory Council; then what will happen in the future is terrible. No matter how much we support the government; if these people are in the Advisory Council, the government will definitely fail.

In this regard, a BNP leader said on condition of anonymity, the last time we had a meeting with the chief advisor in Jamuna; that day, our Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir had come to tell Dr. Yunus; to remove Ali Imam Majumdar from the post of advisor. But that has not happened yet; it is sad.

This meeting of the BNP standing committee was attended by – Dr. Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Mirza Abbas, Dr. Abdul Moin Khan, Nazrul Islam Khan, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, Salahuddin Ahmed, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku, Major (Retd.) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed Bir Bikram and Dr. AZM Zahid Hossain.

The government has not yet made any statement about the election timing, it is disappointing. That is why we now have to say loudly to the government – ‘Hold elections soon’.