Stating that the interim government has no right to cling to power for five years, senior BNP leader Selima Rahman on Friday expressed hope that Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus would live up to his promise by holding the national election by December this year.
Speaking at a special council session of the Central Executive Committee of the Bangladesh Diploma Medical Association in the city’s Paltan area, she also criticized the home affairs adviser for suggesting that people want the interim government to remain in power for five years.
"The home affairs adviser has claimed that the people of this country want the current government to remain in power for five years, but we know what the people truly want,” the BNP leader said.
Selima, a member of the BNP Standing Committee, said the interim government’s primary responsibility is to organize a fair and credible election within a short timeframe.
Describing Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus as a highly respected and accomplished person, she said: “BNP has confidence in him. We hope he keeps his promise and arranges the national election by December.”
Earlier on Thursday, Home Adviser Lt Gen (Retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury told journalists in Sunamganj that people are urging them to stay in power for another five years.
Speaking on the matter, Selima said that the people of the country want democracy to be restored without delay. “To restore democracy, a government must be formed through a free and fair election,” she said.
She also said that the BNP is not repeatedly calling for elections simply to return to power but to restore democracy in the country. “Elections are essential to reestablish the fundamental rights of the people.”
The BNP leader added that once an elected government is in place, the current instability in the country could be resolved, and ongoing conspiracies could be effectively countered.
“BNP is not afraid of elections, nor does it fear being in the opposition,” she asserted.
Selima emphasized that reforms are urgently needed across all sectors, claiming that the previous Awami League regime has damaged every sector through corruption and plundering.
“Only an elected government, empowered by the people’s mandate, can carry out comprehensive reforms,” she said.