NCP leader Nasiruddin blasts law, finance and planning advisers

The National Citizen Party (NCP) Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patwary today (21 May) criticised Law Adviser Asif Nazrul, Finance Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed and Planning Adviser Wahiduddin Mahmud -- claiming that they are 'BNP spokespersons'.

If the reform recommendations are not implemented, the advisers who are 'BNP spokespeople' will be forced to resign, he said while addressing a demonstration organised by the NCP.

The NCP staged the demonstration in front of Nirbachan Bhaban, demanding reconstitution of the Election Commission and immediate arrangement of local government body elections.

The NCP chief coordinator said, "Wahiduddin Bhai [who was an education adviser] is working to sink education in Bangladesh, Salehuddin Bhai is working to sink the financial sector of the country. Asif Nazrul is working to sink the law ministry. Then we will force them to resign through launching a programme."

Referring to the ban on Awami League's activities, he said, "We demanded that the Awami League be banned, and it was banned. But the Awami League's election commission and constitution were not banned."

Noting that Adviser Asif Nazrul had betrayed students and people, Nasiruddin said "Asif Nazrul once gave a false assurance that the July Declaration would be made, but didn't. He betrayed..."

"If this time there would be any change of words, I don't know whether Asif Nazrul will remain in Bangladesh," he said.

The NCP chief coordinator said they are waiting for the July declaration. "We are waiting for the declaration, then the EC will be reconstituted, local elections and the constituent assembly election will be held and we will get a beautiful Bangladesh," he said concluding their demonstration rally.

The NCP chief coordinator said the current election commission was constituted in line with the 2022 law which was enacted during the authoritarian regime amid objection from various political parties including BNP.

"This commission is a constitutional body, but it is playing the spokesperson role of a party instead of maintaining that (constitutional) position, which is shameful for the country," he said.

The NCP leader suggested the Election Commission arrange the local body elections first to test its fitness. "Local elections must be held before the national election. There will be no national election before the local elections," he added.

The NCP Dhaka city unit arranged the demonstrations against the AMM Nasir Uddin-led current Election Commission.

The demonstration began at 12:0pm and continued till 2:15pm in the city's Agargaon area.

The NCP leaders alleged that this Commission was constituted hastily before the reform initiatives were implemented. This Commission has already lost its neutrality, they claimed.

Pointing at the BNP, these NCP leaders asked the party to test its popularity through the local body elections before going for the National Election.