A source in the BNP has said the party wants an election roadmap from the Dr Muhammad Yunus-led interim government by December, and if a roadmap is not provided by then, the party intends to take to the streets, launching protests demanding elections by April.
The BNP is ramping up its demand for elections, calling for a swift transfer of power to a democratic government, with party leaders saying only an elected government will be able to carry out meaningful reforms.
They argue that such a government, once in power, will amend the constitution through parliament.
Regarding state reform, BNP Standing Committee Member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury said at a program in Chittagong on Monday that the biggest reform was electoral reform.
“We have heard a lot of talk, but nothing about electoral reform. A commission has been formed, and we are happy with that. It has been given time until December, and we are waiting.”
Senior leaders within the BNP believe the government could easily organize elections within the next five months if it truly wanted to.
They expressed this view during a standing committee meeting chaired by Tarique Rahman on Monday, where they also discussed pressing issues such as price control, deteriorating law and order, and the need to address the basic problems faced by the people.
They emphasized that only an elected government could resolve these issues.
The standing committee members said they were willing to give the interim government adequate time to organize elections, but they warned that this should not stretch over several years.
Most leaders suggested that elections should be held by March or April.
Meanwhile, speaking at a recent event organized by Krishak Dal, BNP acting chairperson Tarique Rahman declared: “There must be an election. It cannot be a sham election; it must take place in the daylight. If this is ensured, God willing, we will be able to gradually solve the country’s problems. To prevent conspiracies, we must ensure voter independence.”
Reform agenda
According to BNP sources, the party plans to present a reform proposal based on its chief Khaleda Zia’s 31-point agenda for reforms and demand elections from the government.
The party aims to involve the public in this reform agenda. To that end, the BNP has scheduled a seminar on Thursday at a hotel in Dhaka.
The seminar will provide a detailed discussion of the 31-point agenda, covering issues such as the formation of a bicameral parliament, limiting the prime minister to two terms, establishing a neutral caretaker government during elections, and ensuring a balance of executive powers between the prime minister and the cabinet.
Following the seminar, the BNP plans to hold district-level meetings and seminars to build public support for these reforms, while also pressuring the government to organize elections promptly.
Reports indicate that the BNP plans to hold seminars across the country this month to discuss the 31-point reform agenda. Simultaneously, the party and its affiliated organizations are working on forming committees.
Recently, committees for Dhaka north and 10 other regions were formed, and the youth and student wings of the party have been instructed to complete their committees as well.
Several district conferences are also planned for this month. Furthermore, the student and youth wings, Chhatra Dal and Jubo Dal, are actively touring the country, engaging with local leaders and raising awareness about the BNP’s 31-point agenda for state reform.
The party is said to be preparing to launch a series of programs demanding elections, starting in December, including a major rally on Victory Day, December 16. Additionally, the party's policymakers are considering several issue-based programs.
Chhatra Dal General Secretary Nasir Uddin Nasir said: “On Tarique Rahman’s instructions, we are travelling across the country. He has asked us to deliver the message of the BNP’s state reforms to the public. We are working towards that goal.
“In the last three elections, young people were unable to vote. In the next election, we must ensure their participation. Tarique Rahman has instructed us to do so. Chhatra Dal is always ready to serve the country’s needs. If Tarique Rahman gives the order, we are prepared to take to the streets again for elections.”
Meanwhile, BNP Vice Chairman Nitai Roy Chowdhury said the BNP wanted reforms, but not all reforms were possible under this government.
“The primary task of this government is to reform the Election Commission and organize elections quickly. Afterwards, an elected government will be able to implement further reforms. We are demanding that the government hold elections as soon as possible.”
At a press conference on Tuesday at the National Press Club, Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury said Tarique Rahman had presented the 31-point reform proposal based on the views of all the parties in the simultaneous movement.
He added that an unelected government could not carry out reforms based on its own ideology or vision. However, he said the BNP had no objection to implementing reforms that had broad consensus.
The BNP leader reiterated the party’s commitment to the 31-point reform agenda, saying: “After 16 years of struggle, the BNP has been forged into pure gold. Our leaders and activists have learned to sacrifice, shed blood and give their lives. We will not stop in the fight for democracy, human rights, and the restoration of voting rights.”
