13 political parties urge CA to announce specific election date
Signs of conspiracies by defeated forces are becoming increasingly visible, said the chief adviser
Leaders of 13 political parties and alliances have urged Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus to immediately announce a specific date for the upcoming national election.
The demand came during a meeting held today (23 July) at the state guest house Jamuna, where party representatives also called for ensuring equal opportunities for all political parties by ending what they described as the government's "biased behavior".
They stressed that a free and fair election would not be possible unless the government maintained neutrality.
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At the meeting, the chief adviser said signs of various conspiracies by defeated forces are becoming increasingly visible within a year of the July Uprising.
"On the first anniversary of the July Uprising, our plan was to bring all political parties together to reflect on the past. That was the purpose behind our programmes. It would have made our unity against fascism visibly stronger," Dr Yunus said.
The chief adviser further said, "Despite differences of opinion and political rivalry, the unity among political parties against fascism must be made more visible. Otherwise, they will see it as an opportunity."
Leaders present at the meeting included Syed Hasibuddin Hossain of Rashtro Sangskar Andolon; Zonayed Saki of Ganosanghati Andolon; Mujibur Rahman Monju of the AB Party; Shahidullah Kayser of Nagorik Oikya; Nurul Haque Nur of Gono Odhikar Parishad; Redwan Ahmed of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP); Dr Ahmad Abdul Kader of Khelafat Majlish; and Saiful Haque of the Biplobi Workers Party.
Other participants included Tania Rob of Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD); Shahadat Hossain Selim of the 12-Party Alliance; Bazlur Rashid Firoz of the Socialist Party of Bangladesh; Ruhin Hossain Prince of the Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB); and Mizanur Rahman of Gono Forum.
'Govt showing undue favour to NCP'
At a press conference following the meeting, the leaders alleged that the government was showing "undue favour to the National Citizen Party (NCP)", which they claimed was creating political inequality and deepening divisions.
Nurul Haque Nur, president of the Gono Odhikar Parishad, alleged that the government is openly favouring the NCP, calling it disrespectful to all other political parties.
"If such bias continues, it will not be possible to hold a free and fair election under this government," he warned.
CPB General Secretary Ruhin Hossain Prince said, "The government only calls on political parties when it finds itself in trouble. The NCP hasn't even been officially registered yet, but it's already receiving state protocol. This is a glaring example of discrimination."
Among other leaders, Bazlur Rashid Firoz, general secretary of the Socialist Party of Bangladesh, and Ganasamhati Andolan Chief Coordinator Zonayed Saki also expressed the same concerns over the alleged bias of the interim government.
Zonayed Saki said it is the government's responsibility to carry out judicial and electoral reforms.
"If the election date is announced without delay, it will bring a sense of relief among the public," he said.
According to a statement from the CA's Press Wing, all participating parties in yesterday's meeting expressed their support for maintaining strong political and public unity against fascism.
They urged the chief adviser to take a firmer stance in controlling law and order.
The leaders also pledged full support for reforms, justice, and the electoral process. They requested the chief adviser to hold more regular all-party meetings ahead of the election to resist fascism and strengthen democratic consensus.
AB Party Chairman Mojibur Rahman Monju pointed to recent incidents in connection with violence in Gopalganj and the military plane crash in Uttara's Milestone School and College premises as signs of a "brewing conspiracy".
"Fascist elements are seizing the opportunity, and the government's role suggests it is itself uncertain about reforms and the election process," he said.
Biplobi Workers Party General Secretary Saiful Haque said the government has grown weak and the country is sliding into chaos.
On 22 July night, the chief adviser held meetings with leaders of the BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, NCP and Islami Andolan.
