All eyes on Jamuna ahead of crucial political meetings

All eyes are now on Jamuna, the official residence of Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, as BNP and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami prepare to meet the head of the interim government amid rising political tensions in the country.

The chief adviser held a meeting with his colleagues at the Council of Advisers shortly after the meeting of the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec), his Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam told UNB. 

He said the emerging issues were discussed at the unscheduled meeting of the Council of Advisers.

The chief adviser will hold separate meetings with BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami in the evening (24 May) amid growing political tensions and various speculations.

Amid growing political tensions and various speculations, a BNP delegation will hold a meeting with Chief Adviser Yunus today.

The meeting is likely to take place at the chief adviser's official residence, Jamuna, at around 7pm, a BNP standing committee member told UNB last night (23 May).

"We have been invited by the chief adviser's office to hold a meeting over the latest political situation," he said.

The BNP leader said they have also learnt that the chief adviser will hold a meeting with Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami following their party's meeting.

He said they will attend the meeting as part of efforts to defuse political tensions and clear misunderstandings with the interim government.

The BNP leader said their party does not want the chief adviser to step down at this stage, as it would trigger a fresh political crisis.

Meanwhile, he said, they will share their observations with the chief adviser tomorrow and request him to promptly complete the reform process and come up with a clear roadmap for the election within this year. 

Earlier in the day, BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed told a private television channel, "We have been asking for time to meet with the chief adviser since Monday. But no time has been given yet."

He also said the BNP did not demand the chief adviser's resignation as they sought only the resignation of some controversial advisers. "We asked for a roadmap for the national elections by December. If he chooses to resign instead of giving a roadmap, that can be his own decision. But we did not ask for his resignation."

Earlier on Thursday (22 May), the party issued a stern warning that it may be compelled to reconsider its cooperation with the interim government if a specific roadmap for holding the next general election by December is not announced immediately.

Speaking at a press conference, BNP Standing Committee Member Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain also urged the interim government to immediately relieve certain 'controversial advisers', including those allegedly affiliated with a newly formed political party and the National Security Adviser, for the sake of neutrality and the government's credibility.

According to media reports, Chief Adviser Yunus was considering resignation, frustrated by various political parties' demonstrations and comments made by the Army Chief during an officers' address on Wednesday regarding the government and the election.