Act as caretaker govt to make polls fair, BNP urges CA
He also alleged that the country's judiciary currently harbours "allies of fascists" and urged the chief adviser to remove them, advocating the appointment of impartial judges.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has said the interim government needs to adopt the functioning of a caretaker government to ensure the upcoming national election is meaningful, fair, and acceptable to all.
"We came to speak with the CA because we have some concerns. To make the upcoming election meaningful, fair, and acceptable to all, what is needed from this moment is to ensure that the interim government functions like a caretaker government," he said while speaking to reporters today (21 October) after a meeting with Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus at the State Guest House, Jamuna.
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On the caretaker government, Fakhrul noted that the first step is to install in the public's mind the idea that the administration is completely neutral.
He also alleged that the country's judiciary currently harbours "allies of fascists" and urged the chief adviser to remove them, advocating the appointment of impartial judges.
The senior BNP leader said, "To ensure complete impartiality, if there are any party-affiliated individuals within the government, we have demanded their removal as well."
"In particular, I have told him [Yunus] to remove the allies of fascists from the Secretariat and appoint impartial officials," Fakhrul added.
"This measure must also be implemented in the administration at the district level," he noted, adding, "We believe that currently they are still serving the interests of the previous fascist government, and we have also demanded their removal."
The BNP leader also highlighted the need for neutrality in new police appointments and promotions.
Earlier around 6pm, a delegation of the BNP held a meeting with the chief adviser Muhammad Yunus to discuss preparations for the upcoming national polls. The meeting lasted for an hour.
The delegation was led by BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and accompanied by Standing Committee members Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury and Salauddin Ahmed.
Representing the government Planning Adviser Wahiduddin Mahmud, Law Adviser Asif Nazrul, and Industry Adviser Adilur Rahman Khan also were present at the meeting.
According to CA Press Wing, during the meeting, BNP leaders urged the chief adviser to bar controversial officials — particularly those who held election-related responsibilities during the Awami League rule — from participating in the elections.
They also called on the chief adviser to ensure neutrality in all administrative reshuffles before the election.
In response, the chief adviser informed the BNP leaders that, as the adviser in charge of the Ministry of Public Administration, all transfers and appointments in the civil administration ahead of the election would take place under his direct supervision.
Yunus said, "It is our duty to remain impartial. The election is a major national event. We will select only those capable of maintaining peace and order. This process will remain under my supervision. We will take all necessary measures to ensure the election is peaceful and fair."
Additionally, the BNP delegation expressed deep concern over a series of recent fire incidents across the country and called for an investigation to determine whether these incidents were acts of sabotage.
As part of the ongoing political dialogue, the chief adviser is scheduled to meet a delegation of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami representatives tomorrow (22 October).
Before the meeting, party sources stated that the BNP believes individuals linked to Jamaat-e-Islami are being favoured in election-related tasks as well as in recent administrative transfers and appointments, ahead of the upcoming 12th parliamentary election.
BNP alleged that some advisers are showing partisan behaviour in recent key administrative reshuffles and appointments — particularly favouring Jamaat-e-Islami.
The party also claimed that, in preparing panels for polling officials ahead of the election, Jamaat-linked individuals are being given preference, and the party has obtained information to support this.
The party is concerned about this issue and plans to inform the chief adviser about it. The BNP also plans to discuss broader political issues, including the recent signing of the July National Charter.
A member of the BNP's Standing Committee told TBS the National Citizen Party (NCP) did not sign the charter but still has an opportunity to do so.
"We want all anti-fascist political parties to sign the charter. BNP will ask the CA to take an initiative to persuade the NCP to sign it," the party leader added.
