BNP senior leader questions Yunus’ true agenda due to ‘vague election timeframes’

Dhaka: In another attack on the interim government and its stance on holding elections, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) senior leader Salahuddin Ahmed has questioned the true agenda of Chief Advisor Mohd Yunus over his “vague election timeframes”– such as December 2025 or early 2026 – instead of giving a concrete timeline.

“Why can’t you settle down on one timeline? You are a world-famous and respected person. Such shifting won’t be well received nationally and internationally,” Ahmed said, as per The Business Standard BD.

Recalling the CA’s last meeting with BNP officials, he said that Yunus had promised that his cabinet would carry out activities with the goal of holding polls by December 2025.

He added that the party had also spoken to the Election Commission, which informed them it would be ready by June this year to conduct the elections.

The BNP leader urged the Yunus-led government to take prompt steps to establish a democratic government elected by the people’s vote.

“Several thousand people were martyred for the restoration of the right to vote, democratic rights, and constitutional rights, ultimately achieving the return of elections. Fascism also collapsed through mass uprisings. Now, by denying that very election, whom are you trying to encourage, and which unconstitutional force is benefiting from it?” he said.

The BNP has been one of Yunus government’s biggest political allies along with parties like the Jamaat-e-Islami-Bangladesh and the National Citizen Party, and had actively supported the July uprising of 2024 which led to the ouster of PM Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League regime.

The BNP has been a key supporter of the interim government, but its stance on holding polls has been a contentious issue between the two parties.

Senior members of the party have levelled accusations that Yunus wishes to hold on to power.