Though the BNP has consistently called for a national election and swift reforms, party leaders now fear that their December election deadline may quietly slip away.
They allege that the interim government appears to be dragging its feet and showing no sign of preparing for the polls.
Speaking to the media, several senior BNP leaders expressed concern that nine months after the formation of the interim government, its lack of focus on elections—alongside controversial moves such as allowing human corridors to Rakhine and outsourcing port operations—has raised serious doubts about its true intentions.
In this context, they said, grassroots members are mounting pressure on the party leadership to take to the streets and compel the government to announce a clear election roadmap and hold the polls within this year.
A BNP leader, requesting anonymity, said the party fears that the ban on Awami League activities, internal conflicts between the National Citizen Party (NCP) and Jamaat-e-Islami, the rise in unnecessary street protests, and the deteriorating law and order situation may further complicate the political landscape in the days ahead.
He added that the party is also deeply concerned about the emerging political polarisation following the ban on Awami League activities and the suspension of its registration with the Election Commission.
They suspect these developments may be part of a broader strategy—possibly involving both local and international actors—to prolong the tenure of the interim government.
The BNP leader said the issues of election and reforms were discussed at their latest standing committee meeting, where most members expressed frustration over the lack of visible progress.
He also noted that grassroots leaders and activists are increasingly pressuring the party to launch a movement demanding that the election be held by December.
Three BNP Standing Committee members have recently voiced concern and anger over the delay.
On Monday, senior BNP leader Mirza Abbas alleged that many suspicious foreigners are arriving in Bangladesh, accusing the interim government of serving foreign interests instead of the people’s.
He further accused the government of orchestrating incidents to divert public attention from its failures and claimed that a deliberate effort is underway to eliminate the BNP.
According to him, pro-BNP officials are being systematically replaced by those loyal to the Awami League or Jamaat-e-Islami in the administration and key government positions.
A day earlier, BNP Standing Committee Member Salahuddin Ahmed said the party had repeatedly demanded that the Awami League, as a political entity, be brought to trial—but those demands were ignored.
“Had the chief adviser addressed the matter then, the embarrassing incidents of the last two days—such as the Shahbagh demonstrations—could have been avoided,” he added.
Claiming that people across the country are eager to vote in the next parliamentary election, he said: “We urge the chief adviser to announce a clear roadmap for the upcoming election. Otherwise, similar embarrassing situations may recur.”
On Tuesday, BNP Standing Committee Member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury said that the party is ready to implement any reform proposals agreed upon through political consensus.
“So, why the delay? Why are we still unaware of the status of the consensus? We’ve submitted our proposals. Now we’re waiting to see where the consensus stands—but there's still no clarity. What is causing this hesitation?” he asked.
“You cannot hold the people hostage while discussing reforms that benefit only a select few. That time is over. The people of Bangladesh will no longer accept anything imposed by force,” he warned.
He also lamented that individuals who once remained silent in fear of Sheikh Hasina are now dictating the reform agenda.
“Every now and then, new distractions are introduced, reforms are dragged out, and the situation is kept deliberately unstable. It appears to be part of a larger conspiracy to indefinitely delay the election,” said another BNP Standing Committee member on condition of anonymity.
He noted that the party is currently organizing youth rallies across all divisions to generate momentum and encourage the younger generation to engage in BNP politics.
“Our divisional youth rally will culminate in a massive gathering in Dhaka on 28 May. From that platform, the BNP will deliver a strong message to the government, demanding that the election not be unnecessarily delayed,” the leader added.
Contacted for comment, BNP Standing Committee Member Gayeshwar Chandra Roy said there is a clear effort to delay the election under various pretexts, including the reform process.
“Such delays could lead to greater instability and allow the Awami League to reorganize and create chaos. If elections are postponed, the situation may spiral out of control,” he warned.
He emphasized that the interim government's role is to restore the people’s mandate, but it seems to lack the will to do so.
“We urge the government to present a clear electoral roadmap without further delay. The people—especially the youth—are eager to vote. A fair election must be held, and the reforms must be completed quickly,” he concluded.