BNP ready to contest election at ‘any time’, says Fakhrul

The BNP has declared its readiness to contest a general election at "any time", with Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir insisting the party seeks power only through the ballot box.

He reaffirmed that BNP is “not a revolutionary force” but a political party committed to electoral democracy. “We’ve made it clear -- if you can hold the election tomorrow, we’re ready for it tomorrow.

“This [BNP] is a party that believes in elections. It wants to come to power through voting,” Farkhrul said.

“We aim to come to power by winning the people's vote, not through any uprising,” he added. “When everyone agrees, when there is consensus, elections will take place--we have no objection to that.”

Fakhrul was speaking at the party chairperson’s office in Dhaka’s Gulshan on Tuesday morning.

The remarks come amid growing speculation over the possible timing of the next election, as the interim government floats an April timeline.

The BNP, however, has consistently pushed for a December vote--arguing it is the most practical window, citing electoral tradition, weather, and campaign feasibility.

The party believes December remains a realistic and achievable target for the election.

BNP’s Acting Chairman Tareque Rahman has also endorsed this timeline, which senior leaders argue avoids the challenges of Ramadan and summer heat.

Fakhrul warned that an April vote would burden both candidates and voters.

He said campaign activities during Ramadan would double expenses and make organising public rallies during daytime nearly impossible due to extreme heat and the fasting period.

“Candidates will be exhausted, costs will spiral. Who will attend a daytime rally in the heat?” he asked.

The senior leader also noted that most previous elections in Bangladesh were held in the November–January window for a reason, and past deviations had led to “complications”.

Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus is expected to meet Tarique in London on Friday between 9am and 11am, according to the party.

When asked whether the meeting could lead to a change in the election schedule, Fakhrul said: “I’m an optimistic person. I always look at the bright side. I believe this is a moment of opportunity.

“This is the right time, right place --it could open a new horizon.”

On the interim administration’s role, Fakhrul said while its members are experienced in their professional domains, their political judgement may be “limited”.

Still, he acknowledged that they appear to be working sincerely and facing pressure to steer through new political realities.

Fakhrul added that despite differences in perspective, major parties are engaging, and the BNP sees opportunity in the current fluidity.

“No one should expect instant solutions, but the meeting between the two leaders could lay the groundwork for something bigger.”

The BNP remains critical of the government's proposed April schedule.

Fakhrul said the party has not yet taken an official stance on that date but expects the administration to reconsider in light of practical realities.

He also criticised the reform commissions’ approach, likening it to “school tick marks”.

“Does politics happen with tick marks? It’s impossible.”

He reiterated the BNP’s stance that the prime minister should not serve more than two consecutive terms but may serve a third term after a gap of one year--never more than three terms in total.

Asked if a caretaker government should oversee the election, Fakhrul reiterated his previous position: “To ensure a free and fair election, there must be a caretaker government.”

On sharing seats with allies in the next election, he said: “This is natural in parliamentary politics. We are committed to forming a national government after the election.”