The leaders of several parties and alliances have called on the interim government to provide an electoral roadmap while implementing state reforms. They emphasized that reforms will continue, but the parties are in discussions with the interim government’s chief adviser to secure an electoral roadmap.
Dr AZM Fariduzzaman Farhad, chairman of the National People’s Party (NPP) and chief coordinator of an alliance of like-minded parties, demanded that the reform commissions complete their work within 90 days.
The alliance leaders said in their meeting that the constitution belongs to the people’s representative government. Farhad noted that any major changes to the constitution should be made by an elected government, not the interim one.
Farhad shared these remarks with journalists on Saturday evening following a dialogue with the interim government's chief adviser, Dr Muhammad Yunus. During the meeting, the participants urged improvements to the law-and-order situation and called for the reinstatement of the caretaker government.
The round of dialogues between political parties and the chief adviser on state reforms, Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus, took place at 3pm on Saturday at the state guest house Jamuna. Dr Yunus first met with the Gono Forum.
A nine-member delegation, led by Gono Forum emeritus president Dr Kamal Hossain, attended the meeting. Following this, the chief adviser held discussions with other political parties individually.
Demand for early elections
Gono Forum expressed its desire for elections to be held soon after the reforms are implemented.
During the discussions, Dr Kamal Hossain raised issues related to the constitution, judiciary, and law enforcement, also highlighting concerns about market conditions. He stressed the need to dismantle syndicates.
After the state reforms, Gono Forum requested that the 13th National Parliament election be held as soon as possible, according to Mostafa Mohsin Montu, chairman of the party's coordination committee, who spoke after the dialogue.
Montu emphasized the need for free and fair elections, stating that everyone must unite to move the country forward.
He said: "This government is the people's government. To safeguard it, and ourselves, we must ensure fair elections in the future."
When asked about the roadmap, Montu responded: "We did not specify a date. We asked for swift elections following the reforms. We want an Election Commission that can ensure free and fair elections."
Regarding the country's economic struggles, Montu urged the recovery of billions in laundered funds and called for national unity to address the economic crisis. He also mentioned that Gono Forum plans to submit written proposals for constitutional amendments in the coming days.
Mizanur Rahman, Secretary of Gono Forum's coordination committee, described the dialogue as fruitful, citing proposals on electoral reform, controlling commodity prices, restoring law and order, and restructuring an independent Election Commission.
Demand for Hasina's arrest
After the discussions, Jatiya Mukti Council General Secretary Faizul Hakim Lala criticized the existing constitution, calling it undemocratic and illegal.
He demanded its cancellation and called for the arrest of Sheikh Hasina and her associates. He also urged that those martyred or injured in recent uprisings be recognized and compensated.
Lala called for a Constituent Parliament election to establish a people's government and constitution.
23 proposals from the LDP
Dr Colonel (Retd) Oli Ahmed, President of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), presented 23 proposals, which he said were designed to address the needs of the Bangladeshi people.
These proposals included measures to help those suffering from rising prices, to ensure free and fair elections, to run a clean administration, and to ensure justice.
14-point proposal from 12-party alliance
Mostafa Jamal Haider, president of the Jatiya Party faction led by Kazi Zafar Ahmed, said that he had urged the chief adviser to take immediate action to control commodity prices, even if government subsidies were necessary.
The chief adviser assured him that steps would be taken.
Shahadat Hossain Salim, the spokesperson of the 12-party alliance, called for expanding the advisory council, bringing law enforcement under control, and establishing good governance.
Salim also advocated for the abolition of the Union Parishad and the removal of dictatorship at the grassroots level. He pledged that elections would be held within a reasonable time after the reforms. A 14-point written proposal was submitted to the chief adviser on behalf of the 12-party alliance.
On this day, Muhammad Yunus held dialogue with seven political parties and alliances, including the Gono Forum, Labor Party, 12-Party Alliance, Jatiya Party-BJP (Perth), like-minded nationalist alliance, and Jatiya Mukti Council. However, the main opposition party from the last parliament was not invited.
On October 5, the chief adviser held discussions with the BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, Ganatantra Manch, Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh, Left Democratic Alliance, Islami Andolan Bangladesh, and AB Party.
Awami League President Sheikh Hasina's government fell on August 5 following a student movement. Muhammad Yunus took charge of the interim government on August 8. His government has since held three rounds of dialogue with political parties.
