BNP calls for removal of controversial figures from Advisory Council

The BNP has called for the removal of “controversial figures” from the interim administration’s Advisory Council and demanded a complete reconstitution of the body.

The party also insisted that a clear roadmap for the next general election be announced within December.

The demands were placed during a meeting with Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna on Saturday evening.

The talks, which began at 7:45pm and concluded around 8:35pm, were attended by a four-strong BNP delegation led by Standing Committee member Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain.

The other delegates were Abdul Moyeen Khan, Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, and Salahuddin Ahmed.

Speaking to reporters later, Mosharraf said the party had conveyed its key demands but declined to name the advisors they want removed.

“Our discussions covered reform, justice, and elections,” he said. “We emphasised that these are distinct areas. Reform is a continuous process, and we hope this interim government will begin those reforms in consultation with all parties.”

“If the people give us the mandate in the future, we will carry those reforms forward,” he added.

On elections, Mosharraf said the BNP urged the interim administration to outline a concrete roadmap by December.

“The people of Bangladesh believe that the interim government’s foremost responsibility is to ensure a democratic transition through a free and fair election,” he said.

Standing next to him, Moyeen said announcing an election roadmap would help restore calm in the country.

Amir Khosru added that BNP believes the general election could still be held before December, and that this position was clearly communicated to the chief advisor.

Asked whether Yunus gave any assurances, Salahuddin said: “No specific commitments were made. The chief advisor did not provide a clear response. We submitted our demands in writing. Perhaps the government will respond through the media.”

When asked if the party was satisfied with the discussions, Salahuddin replied that they would wait for a formal response from the interim administration before making any judgment.

The meeting took place against the backdrop of escalating political uncertainty, driven by internal disagreements within the interim government, Yunus’s reported contemplation of resignation, and public remarks by the army chief calling for elections by December.

Following the talks with BNP, the chief advisor held separate meetings with Jamaat-e-Islami and the National Citizen Party (NCP). Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder later confirmed that further dialogues with other political parties are scheduled for Sunday.

The high-level meeting was convened amid growing tensions over the political transition and questions surrounding Yunus’s future in office.