Nagorik Oikya President Mahmudur Rahman Manna has accused interim government Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus of avoiding accountability and spreading misinformation regarding political parties’ positions on elections.
Speaking at a discussion titled “Genocide Trial, State Reform and Election Roadmap” organized by Gana Odhikar Parishad on Tuesday at Dhaka Reporters Unity, Manna criticized Yunus for claiming that only one political party wants elections before December. “This is factually incorrect,” Manna said, adding that at least 29 parties have expressed interest in elections within that timeframe. “He offered no explanation for his false claim,” Manna added.
Manna also noted that during multiple meetings with political leaders, Prof. Yunus expressed optimism but failed to address core issues such as state reform, democracy, or a credible election roadmap.
He questioned the interim government’s push for elections in June, despite no major party advocating for polls during that period. Manna warned that confusion over election timing, the human corridor policy, and contradictory statements from foreign and domestic officials are creating instability.
Cautioning the interim leadership, the former DUCSU VP said, “Politics requires understanding, not just power. Wrong policies cannot guide the country forward.”
Addressing regional concerns, Manna accused a neighboring country—implicitly India—of supporting Bangladesh’s “fallen dictatorship,” warning that such interference could trigger conflict at the border. He likened the situation to pre-war tensions during the Indo-Pakistani conflicts of the past.
The event was chaired by Gana Odhikar Parishad President Nurul Haque and featured several opposition leaders, including BNP’s Salahuddin Ahmed and BJP Chairman Andaliv Rahman Partha, who echoed concerns about democratic backsliding and national sovereignty.
