People won't accept election date before July Charter is implemented: NCP on Yunus-Tarique meeting

Expressing disappointment regarding the outcomes of the high-level meeting between Chief Adviser Mohammad Yunus and BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, the National Citizen Party (NCP) said people will not accept any election date before the implementation of the July Charter.

"If any election date is announced before the people's demand, namely the formulation and implementation of the 'July Charter', the people will not accept it," it also warned.

"While the discussion regarding the election date received importance in the meeting, the main demands of the citizens of post-coup Bangladesh, namely justice and reform, did not receive the same importance. The NCP finds this very disappointing," the party said in a statement issued tonight (13 June).

"In addition, it is repeatedly seen that the government is giving more priority to the position and demands of only one political party on the election issue," it added.

The statement, signed by NCP's Joint Member Secretary (Office)  Saleh Uddin Sifat, also says, "We believe that holding the National Assembly elections without a clear roadmap for the formulation of the 'July Proclamation', the implementation of the 'July Charter' and the implementation of the trial will turn the popular uprising into a mere transfer of power and will suppress the people's desire for state building."

The party "strongly demanded" that the interim government take initiative to establish a consensus on the issues of reform through discussions with political parties and to commemorate the upcoming July with due dignity by formulating and implementing the July Charter.

NCP, however, said it sees the talks between the interim government and various political parties as an effort to build consensus on the issue of state structure reform positively.

As part of this effort, the meeting between CA Yunus and Tarique Rahman has succeeded in bringing the BNP into confidence on the issue of 'parliamentary elections', said NCP.

"We believe that it is important to build consensus among political parties on the issue of national unity, independence and sovereignty and state reform," it adds.

The high-level meeting between the interim government chief and the acting head of the country's largest political party began at 2pm Bangladesh time and continued till 3:30pm.

During the meeting, Tarique had asked Yunus to hold the elections before Ramadan, which is likely to start on 17 February -- subject to lunar sighting.

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia also believes that it would be better if the elections were held during that time, Yunus was told by Tarique at the meeting, said National Security Adviser Khalilur Rahman during a post-meeting press briefing.

The interim government chief responded positively to Tarique's proposal.

Stating that he had announced that the elections would be held by the first half of April next year, Yunus said, "If all preparations are completed, the elections could be held in the week before the start of Ramadan in 2026.

"In that case, it would be necessary to achieve sufficient progress on reforms and justice by that time."

Jamaat says outcome positive for democracy, IAB says dispelled uncertainty from politics

Meanwhile, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has described the meeting between CA Yunus and Tarique Rahman in London as a positive step for democracy.

The CA and Tarique have agreed that the election can be held by mid-February next year if all preparations can be completed by that time. 

"We consider this meeting and discussion to be consistent with and positive for the aspirations of the democracy-loving people," Mia Golam Parwar, Jamaat's secretary general, told The Business Standard after the meeting.

"In politics, dialogue and exchange of views between political parties and the head of government always enhance harmony and mutual understanding. This is the beauty of democracy," he added.

Dispelled the uncertainty and crisis that had gripped national politics: IAB

Islami Andolan Bangladesh Senior Joint Secretary General and Spokesperson Gazi Ataur Rahman said the Yunus-Tarique meeting has largely dispelled the uncertainty and crisis that had gripped national politics.

"It is hoped that after the meeting between the two top leaders, there will be no longer any crisis regarding the national election. BNP has agreed on the fundamental reforms needed to build the state in the coming days. 

"Thanks to the BNP for stepping back from its previous position. Thanks also to the chief adviser for agreeing to the election at a logical time," Ataur told TBS.

Khelafat Majlis welcomes agreement on election timing

Khelafat Majlis has also welcomed Yunus's agreement with BNP on the timing of the next national election.

In a statement today, Khelafat Majlis said the agreement would help reduce political unrest and uncertainty in the country.

"His [Yunus] emphasis on making substantial progress on fundamental reforms and judicial matters before February is also highly significant," reads the joint statement issued by Khelafat Majlis Ameer Maulana Abdul Basit Azad and Secretary General Ahmad Abdul Quader.

BNP satisfied

Speaking at a joint press briefing after the meeting, BNP Standing Committee Member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, who attended the meeting, said his party is satisfied with the outcome.

Responding to a question from journalists, Khasru said, "We must work together with all parties to build a new Bangladesh, not only before the elections, but also after the elections."

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul, speaking to reporters at the BNP Chairperson's office in Dhaka's Gulshan, hailed the meeting as a turning point for the country.

"The entire nation was anxiously waiting for the nearly two-hour meeting... And everyone was waiting for the outcome of this meeting," he told journalists at the BNP Chairperson's office in Dhaka's Gulshan in the afternoon.

"I had said earlier that this meeting could be a turning point. I express my utmost gratitude to Allah that this meeting has truly become a turning point," he added.

Fakhrul further said, "The main issue of discussion was Tarique Rahman's proposal that the election be held earlier, as April is not a suitable time for polls. In that case, the entire nation happily observed that the chief adviser agreed to this, and they set mid-February as election time."

"These two leaders proved today that the people of Bangladesh can still reach consensus when needed, and leaders can lead. That is how the people of Bangladesh will move forward," he added.

Following the developments, Fakhrul called on all to be united to ensure a fair election.

"We need to forget all the petty squabbles that have taken place in the past, strengthen national unity, and resolve the problems so that we can quickly go to an election in mid-February in a fair and beautiful manner and fulfil the aspirations of the nation," he said.

'Will boost business confidence': DCCI President

Speaking to TBS after the much-awaited meeting between the CA and BNP acting chairman, Dhaka Chamber of Commerce & Industry (DCCI) President Taskeen Ahmed said, "We always want to keep politics separate from business. However, a stable environment is needed for business, trade and investment in the country. If the political situation is stable, the environment for business and trade is also good."

"We have been through a very bad time for the past year. The different statements of the government and political parties regarding the elections were creating fears of further worsening this crisis. Today's meeting between the interim government head Dr Yunus and Tarique Rahman has somewhat dispelled these fears," he said.

The DCCI president noted that a democratically elected government is always good for business, trade, and investment. "It is the government's job to hold elections and set their dates. It is necessary to maintain a peaceful situation by involving political parties in this."

He, however, emphasised that stability is also needed during the 8-9 months that are still left for the elections.

"An agreement is needed between the government and the political parties. The decision that the government has now reached on the election date will give businessmen confidence. We welcome this decision," he said.