BNP leader Amir Khasru calls for election soon to tackle mounting challenges

BNP Standing Committee member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury on Tuesday (24 December) stressed the urgency of holding the next general election to address Bangladesh's mounting economic, social, political, and international challenges.

"Elections need to be held very soon. The sooner an elected government comes to power, the sooner it can resolve the current economic, social, political, and foreign issues Bangladesh is facing," Khasru said.

The BNP leader made the remark while talking to reporters at the party chairperson's Gulshan office about the outcomes of separate meetings with several political parties including Gonoforum and Gono Odhikar Parishad.

Khasru highlighted that the country's pressing issues require resolution through a parliament and an elected government.

Discussing the BNP's proposed state reform outline, he reaffirmed the party's commitment to implementing its 31-point reform plan. "We're committed to the people that we will implement this 31-point agenda," he said, adding that these reforms must be enacted through a parliament elected by the people.

He also emphasised the importance of considering reform proposals from other political parties. "Reform proposals from various parties should be placed and discussed in parliament to make decisions that benefit the nation," Khasru said.

Gono Odhikar Parishad General Secretary Rashed Khan said the uncertainty over the timing of the next general election has not been cleared yet as Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus didn't place a clear roadmap with specific election time before the nation.

"All parties expected the chief adviser to present a written roadmap, including an election announcement. However, no such document has been shared, leaving uncertainty about when the next election will take place," Rashed said.

Rashed noted that 43 political parties, including the BNP, played a key role in the recent mass uprising that led to the fall of the Sheikh Hasina regime. However, he warned that the interim government must not falter in fulfilling its responsibilities.

"None of the parties wants this interim government to fail. But if the government fails on its own, the political parties cannot bear that responsibility," Rashed said.

He also raised suspicions about some of the government's advisers, accusing them of advocating for de-politicization and allegedly supporting the formation of a new political party behind the scenes.

"This has created significant doubt among the political forces that worked together during the mass uprising," he added.

Gonoforum General Secretary Mostafa Mohsin Montu also said that election should be held soon and reform proposals will be implemented based on discussion in parliament.

"We need to focus on how quickly we can arrange the election, restore democratic rights and the parliament, as well as implement the reforms through the parliament," he said.

The politician said the interim government can place its reform proposals. But whatever reforms are needed should be done based on discussion in the National Parliament, he added.

Noting that national unity is needed to solve the current crisis, Montu said this national unity must be based on the spirit of the 1971 Liberation War. There is no alternative to it, he said.

He said they have been carrying out a democratic movement since the beginning, aiming to create a democratic environment for holding free, fair and impartial elections in Bangladesh so that every person can exercise their right to vote, which was not seen in the last 15 years.

"We call on everyone to solve our national problems on the basis of national unity and arrange the election quickly after doing whatever is necessary," said the Gonoforum leader.

BNP standing committee member Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku and vice chairman Barkat Ullah Bulu also attended the meetings.