NCP calls on Chief Advisor Yunus to commit to public interest, not political parties

The National Citizen Party (NCP) has called on Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus to honour his commitment to the spirit of the mass uprising by continuing to serve the people, not any political party.

“We urged him to remain neutral and committed to the people, not to align with any party,” NCP Convenor Nahid Islam told reporters after meeting Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna on Saturday night.

The meeting came amid uncertainty triggered by Yunus’s reported consideration of resignation. It followed back-to-back talks with BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami earlier in the evening.

Formed by leaders of the July uprising, the NCP began discussions with Yunus around 9:45pm.

Nahid briefed the media shortly after the meeting ended at 10:10pm.

During the talks, the NCP, formed by leaders of the July Uprising, also reaffirmed its support for the Yunus-led interim government.

Alongside this, NCP representatives raised five key demands during the meeting, making it clear that despite differences with other political parties on certain issues, the party’s stance remains unchanged.

1. One of the NCP's demands in the movement to ban the Awami League was the implementation of the July Proclamation. The government had earlier pledged to issue the July Charter within 30 working days. The NCP, in the meeting, urged the caretaker administration to formally publish the proclamation as an official charter within that timeframe.

According to Nahid, Yunus assured them that steps would be taken to meet this demand.

2. The NCP said the rehabilitation of families of those killed and injured in the July Uprising is progressing slowly. Many have yet to receive the promised savings certificates and monthly allowances.

The party urged the chief advisor to ensure swift financial support and full rehabilitation measures.

3. The NCP has demanded that general and local elections held under Sheikh Hasina’s tenure be legally declared “void”.

It argued those polls were widely disputed and rejected by opposition parties at the time, yet are now being revived in court, creating what they termed a “problematic situation”.

4. The NCP said it no longer has confidence in the current Election Commission and called for its reconstitution to enable prompt local government elections.

5. The party also sought an integrated roadmap from the chief advisor outlining three key issues: justice for the July ‘genocide’, the state reform process along with the official declaration of the July Charter, and the holding of Constituent Assembly and parliamentary elections.

Nahid added that they had been "assured" the July Charter could be issued by the end of the month.

He said they also asked for a clear timeline for trials, a process outline, and a full election schedule, “expected to run from December to June.”

“These five issues were the crux of our discussion,” Nahid added.

When asked about BNP’s demand that the two student representatives resign from the interim cabinet, the NCP leader said: “We made it clear that they joined the government as representatives of the uprising, not of any party.

“Tying them to political organisations is misleading and politically motivated.”

He condemned any effort to undermine their role. “They legitimised this government and are working to fulfil the people’s demands.”

The meeting was convened amid growing uncertainty over the chief advisor’s reported contemplation of resignation.

Asked about the NCP’s position, Nahid said: “We told him clearly that he was brought in not by any political party, but by the people and the protesting students.

“He must stay in office and resolve all issues through political dialogue. His commitment should be to the aspirations of the mass uprising—not to any party. We urged him to keep this in mind while making any decision.”

When asked why Yunus is considering stepping down, the NCP leader said: “He [Yunus] is reflecting on whether he can continue working or should resign.

“This has already been reported widely in the media and on social platforms. This meeting took place in that context.”

Asked why Yunus was disheartened, Nahid said: “Muhammad Yunus expressed his frustration because the promises on which he accepted this responsibility are now under threat.

“At the time, we, as representatives of the movement, had called on him to lead in building a new Bangladesh after the mass uprising.”

Nahid noted that it was not only the chief advisor or the caretaker government, but also the leaders of the anti-fascist political parties who participated in the movement, who had publicly committed to the people that a new Bangladesh could only be achieved through reforms.

He added that Yunus feels some parties are now backing away from those promises and several demands are being imposed on him, creating pressure.

As a result, it has become “impossible” for him to work effectively or bring about reforms and change, which is why he has expressed his disappointment.

Nahid said: “From our side, we clearly conveyed that his commitment should lie not with any political party, but with the people—particularly the students and youth who spearheaded the mass uprising.

“We urged him [Yunus] to reaffirm his resolve to serve their aspirations.”

Nahid headed a four-member delegation that included Chief Organiser (South Region) Hasnat Abdullah, Senior Joint Convenor Ariful Islam Adib, and Senior Joint Member Secretary Tasnim Jara.

On Aug 8 last year, just three days after the then prime minister Sheikh Hasina fled to India amid student-led mass uprising, an interim government led by Yunus took oath.

Nearly nine and a half months later, differing stances emerged between the BNP and the National Citizen Party (NCP), led by leaders of the uprising, regarding the election process, alongside controversies over the swearing-in of BNP leader Ishraque Hossain as Dhaka South mayor.

In recent weeks, both parties have traded demands for the resignation of several advisors.

Reports surfaced on Wednesday that Army chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman had discussed holding elections by December during a meeting at Dhaka Cantonment.

On Thursday night, Nahid—who resigned from the interim cabinet in February—met Yunus, followed by visits from the two student advisors, Mahfuj Alam and Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain.

Later that night, Nahid disclosed that Yunus is “considering resignation”.

Earlier that day, BNP's Standing Committee reaffirmed its demand for elections by December, while Jamaat-e-Islami, following an emergency meeting, urged the chief adviser to call an all-party dialogue to resolve the crisis.