The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has called on interim government Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus to immediately announce the schedule for the upcoming national election, warning that continued delays are exacerbating political instability and public unrest.
Speaking at a protest rally in front of the Jatiya Press Club on Friday, BNP leader and former opposition chief whip Zainul Abedin Farroque said the nation is gripped by uncertainty. “There appears to be a wave of unrest sweeping across the country. We want to know—who is responsible? Who is trying to delay the election? We expect answers from a person of your stature, Dr. Yunus,” Farroque said.
The rally, organized by Aparajeyo Bangladesh under the slogan “Resist the Conspiracy to Foil the National Election – Rise, the People of the Country,” reflected growing frustration among BNP members and supporters over the lack of a defined electoral roadmap.
Farroque emphasized that without a clear election schedule, political forces cannot transition from street agitation to constructive participation. He argued that many opposition members who risked persecution under the previous government would now engage peacefully if given clarity and direction. “A roadmap would help restore political normalcy,” he added.
He also issued a pointed warning to Prof Yunus, stating, “If this instability is of your making, then know this—the BNP will not bear the burden of your failure.” Referring to speculation about Yunus’s potential resignation, Farroque said, “If a respected person like you is forced to leave in disgrace, it will bring us no joy. But your legacy is still in your hands.”
Invoking the legacy of former caretaker head Justice Shahabuddin Ahmed, Farroque urged Prof Yunus to ensure a credible, transparent election. “Let your name be remembered in golden letters in the pages of history by holding a free and fair election, conducted in daylight, where every citizen can vote without fear,” he said.
He further demanded the removal of controversial advisory council members—Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan, Mahfuz Alam, and Khalilur Rahman—citing their actions as barriers to democratic governance. “Send them letters asking for their resignations. If they refuse, it is your responsibility to dismiss them,” he said.
Farroque also cautioned against reforms that could threaten national sovereignty, warning, “Reforms must not lead us down a path where Myanmar becomes a gatekeeper or Chattogram Port falls under foreign control.”
Concluding his speech, Farroque declared that Prof Yunus must personally announce the election schedule within the next few days to prevent further turmoil and maintain public confidence in the interim government’s intentions.
