Unveil roadmap or it’ll be hard to cooperate

The BNP yesterday expressed disappointment over the absence of a clear roadmap for the upcoming national election, despite the demand for one made during its recent meeting with Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus.

"We demand the immediate announcement of a roadmap for the formation of parliament by December. Otherwise, it will become difficult for the BNP to continue its cooperation with the government," said Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, a member of the BNP Standing Committee.

Excuses are being made to delay the elections. One excuse is that the trial [of AL] must be completed before the elections.

— Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, BNP Standing Committee member

Reading out a statement at a press conference at the BNP chairperson's office in Gulshan, Mosharraf also said the statement issued by the advisory council after the meetings between political parties and the chief adviser lacked clarity.

On Saturday, Yunus met with BNP, Jamaat, and NCP leaders, followed by talks with 19 leaders from other political parties the next day.

"Excuses are being made to delay the elections. One excuse is that the trial [of Awami League] must be completed before the elections.

"We want the same thing. During the Awami League's autocratic rule, there was nothing they didn't do to try to wipe us out. Even after that, why would the question arise as to whether we want [AL's] trial or not?"

He, however, stressed that the trial of the Awami League must take place through an independent judiciary.

"If we demand an independent judiciary but also say the trial must be completed within a specific timeframe -- these would be contradictory statements. That's why we're saying the processes of reform, election, and justice are entirely separate. All three can and should proceed simultaneously," he said in response to a journalist's question.

Mentioning that December is the most suitable time for the polls, he said, "Ramadan is in February, followed by the monsoon season, then the SSC and HSC exams."

All previous elections, he noted, have been held in December or January, he added.

The BNP leader said the government's claim that a normal working environment has been disrupted is "actually the result of its own actions".

"We would like to say that it is only possible to stop the incitement of defeated forces and foreign conspiracies through a fair and impartial national parliamentary election as soon as possible. To achieve that goal, it is essential to present a specific roadmap for holding the national parliamentary election immediately -- there is no alternative," he said.

Mosharraf also expressed hope that the government would not delay further in facilitating BNP leader Ishraque Hossain's oath-taking as mayor of the Dhaka South City Corporation.

He further said the interim government should run the state based on consensus to ensure national stability and prevent deterioration of law and order.

Standing Committee members Mirza Abbas, Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, Salahuddin Ahmed, Selima Rahman, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud, and Major (retd) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed were also present at the press briefing.

Meanwhile, in another event at the Jatiya Press Club, senior party leader Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury yesterday warned that the interim government risks losing the support of the BNP and its like-minded parties if it stands in the way of democratic transition and fails to promptly announce a clear election roadmap.