BNP leader Selima urges CA to honour December polls commitment

Stating that the interim government has no right to cling to power for five years, BNP senior leader Selima Rahman on Friday (11 April) expressed the hope that Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus would live up to his promise by holding the national election by December this year.

Speaking at a special council session of the Central Executive Committee of the Bangladesh Diploma Medical Association in the city's Paltan area, she also criticised the Home Affairs Adviser for suggesting that people want the interim government to remain in power for five years.

The home affairs adviser has claimed that the people of this country want the current government to remain in power for five years, but we know what the people truly want," the BNP leader said.

Selima, a member of the BNP Standing Committee, said the interim government's primary responsibility is to organise a fair and credible election within a short timeframe. "The interim government has no right to remain in power for five years."

Describing Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus as "a highly respected and accomplished person, she said, "The BNP has confidence in him. We hope he keep his promise and arrange the national election by December."

Earlier on Thursday, Home Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury told journalists in Sunamganj that people are urging them to stay for another five years.

Selima said the people of the country want democracy to be restored without delay. "To restore democracy, a government must be formed through a free and fair election."

She also said that the BNP is not calling for the election repeatedly solely to return to power but to restore democracy in the country. "Election is essential to reestablish people's fundamental rights."

The BNP leader also said once an elected government is in place, the current instability in the country could be resolved, and the ongoing conspiracies could be effectively countered.

"The BNP is not afraid of elections, nor does it fear being in the opposition," she asserted.

Selima said reforms are urgently needed across all sectors as the previous Awami League regime has destroyed every sector through corruption and plundering. "Only an elected government, empowered by the people's mandate, can carry out comprehensive reforms."