Leaders of eight political parties and organizations on Sunday pressed the interim government for a specific roadmap for the general election, reforms, and justice, during a meeting with Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus, who in turn emphasized the need for national unity to overcome current political challenges.
Some 20 of them participated in a meeting with the chief adviser at his official residence, Jamuna, in two rounds.
Election by February 5
The Amar Bangladesh (AB) Party demanded that Yunus give a roadmap on three issues: the election, reforms and the trial of those behind the July killings.
Secretary General Mojibur Rahman Monju said: “We asked the chief adviser today to announce a roadmap, especially on the election, reforms and justice.”
He said: “We think the election can be held by February 5. Preparations can be made accordingly.”
According to him, Yunus does not see the possibility of holding the national election anytime soon as the governing machinery is not fully operational.
He made these statements to the media after the meeting.
Monju said: “We wanted to know whether the chief adviser actually wanted to resign or not.
According to the AB Party leader, Yunus said he did not find the environment conducive to holding a fair election and considered the decision due to various factors.
“He wants a fair and historic election. When he understands that he has everything under control and the environment is favourable, then he will hold the election.”
Monju continued: “We said the students [from the July uprising] could not maintain unity. You should arrange a compromise with the administration and political parties. Strengthening relations with political parties… you have to stay.
“If it was beneficial for the chief adviser and the Advisory Council to resign, we would have said so. But we have no alternative. If you resign now, the work you have undertaken —election and reforms—everything will become uncertain.”
No deadline from Nagorik Oikko
Nagorik Oikko President Mahmudur Rahman Manna, after the meeting, said: “We want a fair election, but we have not given any deadline for it. Let it take as much time as it takes for a fair election.”
“Dr Yunus said that if there are fewer reforms, the election will be held in December, and if there are more, the election will be held by June.”
“The nation does not want Dr Yunus to resign,” he added.
Stating that the chief adviser talked about national unity, Manna said: “The chief adviser said that Indian hegemony is denying the July movement and is conspiring to end us.”
Revolutionary Workers Party
Saiful Haque, general secretary of the Revolutionary Workers Party, demanded the announcement of a clear roadmap for reforms and the election.
He said: “The resignation of the chief adviser is not a solution; instead, it would increase problems. That is why we want to have faith in the Yunus government.”
Urging the interim government to treat all political parties equally, he called for Yunus to maintain neutrality.
‘Conspiracy’
Mujahidul Islam Selim, former president of the Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB), said: “There is a conspiracy to thwart the mass uprising inside and outside the country. We must keep a careful eye on that.”
He said that if reforms are to be meaningful, they must be done considering public opinion.
Calling on the government to leave fundamental reforms in the hands of the people, Selim said the situation may only worsen if the election is delayed further.
Meanwhile, Ganosamhati Andolon Chief Coordinator Zonayed Saki said Yunus will give a specific roadmap only when the necessary environment is created for a fair election.
However, the chief adviser said that the election will not go beyond June 30, Saki told reporters.
He added that the government must leave office after fulfilling its responsibilities.
He claimed that some foreign counties are trying to destabilize Bangladesh by forming an alliance with the fallen Awami League. “Considering this, Dr Muhammad Yunus has called on everyone to remain united.”
Saki said: “The important thing now is that there is instability in various places and distance between political parties, which is creating an unstable situation. We need to reduce this space of distrust and distance. The interim government needs to bridge the distance between political parties. In addition, deep dialogue is needed among political parties.”
He added that issues of reform on which the political parties will agree should be included in the “July Charter,” suggesting that unresolved issues should be left to the people. “Going beyond this process may lead to conflict.”
Demand for removal of two advisers
Referring to Asif Mahmud and Mahfuj Alam, Nurul Haque Nur, president of the Gono Odhikar Parishad, said he asked the government to remove two advisers or convince them to step down.
Since student representatives have a party, “it is common knowledge that this party is getting government benefits and is being sponsored by the government,” Nur claimed.
Saying Asif and Mahfuj are associated with the party, the National Citizen Party, convincing them to resign will be a good move on the part of the government, he added.
After the second phase of the meetings, Mufti Syed Muhammad Rezaul Karim, amir of Islami Andolan Bangladesh, said the chief adviser promised that they will not be in government after June. “This has removed some of the fears we had inside.”
He said: “We have clearly told him that if you are defeated, we will also be defeated.”
Khelafat Majlis Ameer Mamunul Haque said: “The chief adviser told us that he will not be in power for even an hour after June 30.”
Regarding the Women's Affairs Reform Commission and the election, Mamunul said: “Our concerns have also been expressed about the Women's Reform Commission. In this regard, he assured us that no controversial anti-Islamic law will be implemented in Bangladesh.”
