by
Dhaka, June 1, 2025 – Senior leaders of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) have intensified their call for a national election by December 2025, accusing the interim government led by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus of delaying the process without valid justification. The remarks were made during separate events commemorating the martyrdom anniversary of former President Ziaur Rahman.
BNP leader Salahuddin Ahmed, addressing the Chief Adviser, questioned the rationale behind pushing the election timeline beyond December, stating, “There is no single argument in favor of delaying the election past December. You assured us in our presence that the election would be held by December, but you backtracked, which was not the right move.” He urged the interim government to publicly disclose any reason for postponing the election, emphasizing that holding elections by December is a demand of the Bangladeshi people.
At an event in Jatrabari, where food was distributed among the poor and destitute, BNP Standing Committee member Mirza Abbas accused certain groups of “blackmailing the nation” over the election issue. He stressed the need for a political government to restore stability, saying, “A political government must come to power at any cost to end the country’s unrest.”
In a separate program organized by the Dhaka Lawyers’ Association to mark Ziaur Rahman’s martyrdom anniversary, BNP Vice-Chairman Joynul Abedin echoed similar sentiments. He referenced Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman’s stance, stating, “Our leader Tarique Rahman has said the election must happen by December. I don’t think major reforms are necessary to hold the election by then.” Abedin urged the government to conduct the election within the stipulated timeframe and step down honorably, assuring BNP’s cooperation. He further criticized the interim government for taking 10 months to implement reforms, saying, “It doesn’t take 10 months to carry out reforms or hold an election. Try to understand the aspirations of the people, including the children of Bangladesh.”
The Dhaka Lawyers’ Association event, chaired by Acting President Md. Abdur Razzak, was attended by General Secretary Syed Nazrul Islam, former Bar President Mohsin Mia, Vice-President Shahiduzzaman, and Member Secretary of the Jatiyatabadi Lawyers’ Forum (Dhaka Bar Unit) Nihar Hossain Faruk, among others.
The BNP’s persistent demand for a December election underscores the growing tension between the party and the interim government, with the former accusing the latter of stalling democratic processes.
AI/MR
