To generate public support for holding the 13th national parliamentary election by December this year, the BNP is taking several initiatives, including engaging in dialogue with other political parties.
The party’s standing committee has already decided to hold these discussions through multiple teams made up of its senior members.
According to influential BNP leaders, following Eid-ul-Azha, the party will step up its public outreach efforts to explain why elections must be held by December.
Citing examples of coups and civil wars in other countries after interim governments assumed power, BNP leaders plan to use this narrative to bolster their stance. They want this message to resonate across party lines.
Some leaders have also warned that the longer an interim government remains in place, the more economic crises, rising unemployment, and a lack of domestic and foreign investment will worsen the situation.
They also said formal discussions with other political parties will resume in phases after Eid.
Asked about this, BNP Standing Committee member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury said: “We believe the election should be held before December. What logic justifies dragging this out? We did not fight for 15 years only to lose each day to delays. Political parties have struggled to restore democracy and return ownership of the country to its people.”
“Why should we waste even a single day? Why push it to December? Around 90% of political parties are demanding elections by December. There is already a consensus on holding elections. Those who want to delay or avoid elections—many of them are not even registered parties. The people of this country will soon see who is obstructing their democratic, constitutional, and political rights,” he said.
The ‘December to June’ mystery
According to some political leaders, the interim government is refraining from taking a clear stance on elections for three main reasons.
First, the government allegedly wants to allow new student groups and several religious-based parties to organize, as these groups are seen to provide direct or indirect support to the administration.
Second, various actors within the government and around Dr Muhammad Yunus reportedly have different agendas—ranging from seaport and corridor deals to issues involving Starlink—which require more time to implement.
Third, key members of the interim administration reportedly prefer to remain in power longer and are interested in pushing the election timeline past December to mid-next year.
A leader from the Ganatantra Manch said: “Even a basic roadmap for elections would reduce uncertainty, but the government is avoiding it, creating further suspicion.”
When contacted, Ganatantra Manch leader Saiful Haque said: “Bangladesh is on an uncertain path. The country is facing multiple crises. The longer the election is delayed, the more disorder and deadlock we will see. Some foreign states have shown no change in their position since this government took over. Meanwhile, pushbacks continue across the border. Bangladesh cannot afford to go down this uncertain road.”
Saiful Haque, general secretary of the Revolutionary Workers Party, said: “There’s no accountability in this government. Many inside the administration are treating power like a lottery. I’ve told Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus directly that we want to see a government under his leadership.”
During interviews with senior BNP leaders, it emerged that the differing positions of the chief adviser—who reportedly wants elections between December and June—and the army chief, who reportedly prefers elections by December—are central to the mystery.
Even within BNP, questions remain about which side the party is effectively aligned with.
Which path will BNP take?
Some political observers believe that the BNP is ultimately in favor of holding elections under Dr Muhammad Yunus's leadership.
However, any shift in the timeline could escalate internal tensions and shift the political landscape dramatically.
“There are concerns that any such change could benefit previous ruling parties,” one senior BNP figure acknowledged. “BNP is also facing pressure from both sides.”
Asked whether tensions could emerge between BNP and the interim government over the election timeline, Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury said: “If that happens, it would be very unfortunate.”
In this regard, Ganatantra Manch leader Saiful Haque said: “A delayed election will only embolden undemocratic forces. Their space grows, and their influence strengthens. We want to cooperate with the government, but the longer this drags on, the more disrespected we all feel—and the further the country moves into uncertainty.”
When asked whether BNP would announce a movement or campaign for the election, Standing Committee member Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku said: “We’re not thinking about programs just yet. There’s a lot of groundwork to do before that.”
