Backing interim government will be difficult without election this year: BNP

The BNP has said it will be “difficult” to continue supporting the interim government if a general election is not held by December this year.

The position was laid out by Standing Committee Member Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain on Thursday afternoon at a press conference by the party’s top policymaking body, the National Standing Committee.

He said: “Carrying the spirit of the July uprising, our highest priority now is to restore people’s lost democratic, constitutional and human rights, including the right to vote, by establishing an elected political government in line with public expectations as soon as possible.”

Calling for an “immediate and clear” roadmap, he urged the caretaker administration to announce steps toward holding free, fair and inclusive elections by the end of the year.

“The people believe the interim government must make this its primary agenda,” Mosharraf said.

“Failing in that will make it difficult for the BNP, a party of the people, to continue cooperating with them.”

The BNP also demanded that the size of the Advisory Council be reduced.

“Since holding a general election is the key responsibility of this government, it is advisable to keep only a small Advisory Council focused on routine administrative work instead of a large, top-heavy body,” Mosharraf said.

He added that certain advisors should be removed, including the national security advisor, whose recent comments have “sparked fresh controversy”.

“Everyone knows which advisors are connected—directly or indirectly—to new political parties. Their presence damages the nonpartisan image of this government,” the BNP leader said.

The BNP also renewed its call to remove several figures it described as “allies of fascism”.

The briefing, held at the BNP chairperson’s Gulshan office, outlined the party’s positions on the overall situation in the country, the “controversial” activities of several advisors and the security advisor, the roadmap for the parliamentary election, and issues including the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC).