Meeting with CA: NCP calls for 'effective action' against Jatiyo Party
The party called for appropriate measures against those who influenced the last three elections
The National Citizen Party (NCP), in a meeting with Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus today (31 August), has demanded "effective action" against Jatiyo Party over its alleged involvement in legitimising three illegal elections under the Awami League government.
"The July Charter notes that the Jatiyo Party took part in legitimising three illegal elections. The election posters of their two current secretaries-general even listed them as Awami League nominees. This highlights that the Awami League and the Jatiyo Party are the same. For this reason, we have called for effective action against the Jatiyo Party," Ariful Islam Adib, senior joint convener of NCP, told reporters after the meeting with the chief adviser.
The party called for appropriate measures against those who influenced the last three elections.
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The NCP leader said that the discussion focused on five key issues.
He stated that the party has demanded rehabilitation, treatment, and security for the injured of July fighters.
Adib said they also urged the commission on enforced disappearance to take action against members of state agencies involved in enforced disappearances over the past 15 years.
Regarding the legal and constitutional framework of the July Charter, he said the next election should be held as a Constituent Assembly election, accompanied by the formulation of a new constitution.
"During the meeting, we questioned the capacity and impartiality of the Election Commission, citing a recent incident of assault at the commission's office," he added.
The NCP leader said they also emphasised the need for smooth law and order across the country and the proper conduct of student parliament elections in universities.
They also discussed that individuals turning 18 in February should be allowed to participate in the elections.
The meeting was held at the chief adviser's Jamuna residence this evening (31 August).
The NCP delegation includes Hasnat Abdullah, chief coordinator of Southern Region; Ariful Islam Adib, senior joint convener; Dr Tasnim Jara, senior joint member secretary, and Abdul Hannan Masud, senior joint chief coordinator.
Earlier in the day, Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus held a meeting with the Jamaat-e-Islami. He is scheduled to hold another meeting with the BNP at 7pm.
The meetings come at a time when political parties remain at odds over the timeline for elections and state reforms. The situation escalated after the Election Commission recently unveiled its election roadmap, declaring that national polls will be held in the first half of February next year.
The meetings were announced a day after a clash between the supporters of Jatiyo Party and Gono Odhikar Parisahd activists in Kakrail. A large deployment of police and army personnel later arrived to restore order. A video widely shared on social media shows the joint force using batons to disperse Gono Odhikar men, who were seen standing behind a dais on the street where they wanted to brief the media. This was when Nurul Haque Nur, among others, suffered injuries.
Yesterday, the government condemned the attack on Nur in a statement. At a press briefing, Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam said Muhammad Yunus will meet the leaders of BNP, Jamaat and NCP today separately to discuss the current situation and the upcoming national election.
