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Bangladesh: Over 20 political parties back December vote in high-level political meeting Yunus
Bangladesh's interim Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus met with over 20 political parties on Saturday. Most participants voiced support for elections by December. read more In a major step toward reestablishing democratic rule, Bangladesh's interim Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus convened high-level talks with representatives from over 20 political parties on Saturday, where most participants backed holding national elections by December. The meeting, described as a key moment in the country's political transition, included 28 parties and two alliances — a notable expansion from the original 26 invited. The Jamiate-Ulema-e-Bangladesh and the Islami Oikya Jote were added at the last minute, signaling the interim government's effort to build a broader political consensus. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Among the attendees were senior figures from the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), including Standing Committee Member Salahuddin Ahmed, Chairperson's Advisor Ismail Zabiullah, and Executive Committee Member Ruhul Quddus Kazal. Jamaat-e-Islami, recently reinstated to legal political status, also took part. Its delegation was led by Nayeb-e-Ameer Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher, alongside assistant secretaries general Rafiqul Islam Khan and Hamidur Rahman Azad. The National Consensus Commission, formed to oversee the political transition, was represented by its vice-chairman Ali Riaz and several other members. The talks underscored a growing appetite across party lines for a timely return to electoral legitimacy. While no final date was announced, the Yunus-led interim administration appears to be moving closer to a December timeline — a development that could set the stage for the country's most consequential election in over a decade.
United News of India
19-05-2025
- Politics
- United News of India
Senior BNP leader accuses Yunus-led interim govt of partisan bias
Khulna, May 18 (UNI) Senior Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leader Salahuddin Ahmed has accused the Interim Government of partisan bias and demanded the removal of two of its advisors due to their alleged affiliations with the National Citizen Party (NCP), the political arm of the powerful student's body Students Against Discrimination. Addressing a high-energy rally in Khulna on Saturday, Ahmed warned that public patience was wearing thin and that the Mohd Yunus-led interim government risked losing its legitimacy if it failed to uphold neutrality. Speaking to thousands of supporters, many of them young activists from BNP's affiliate bodies—Chhatra Dal, Jubo Dal, and Swechchhasebak Dal — Ahmed declared that the interim government, formed in order to restore democracy "had betrayed its mandate by aligning itself with smaller political factions to consolidate power", reports The Daily Star. 'Don't assume we want you to remain in office until the Day of Judgment,' he said, directing his remarks at Chief Advisor Professor Muhammad Yunus. 'The people now call this an 'NCP-backed government." 'Two of your advisors are widely known to be affiliated with the NCP. They may not carry official party badges, but the connection is an open secret. If neutrality truly matters, they must resign. And if they refuse, you must remove them.' (Two advisors, Nahid Islam and Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan, who are the youngest members to be sworn in as advisors to an interim government in Bangladesh, are known to be close to the NCP.) Tensions between the BNP and the interim government have escalated in recent weeks, with the BNP accusing the administration of overreach and partisan interference. Party insiders claim recent backchannel engagements between NCP figures and senior interim officials have only deepened the mistrust. Salahuddin Ahmed's comments suggest that what was once merely a slight dent in an otherwise strong alliance, is now becoming more hostile. In a particularly scathing segment of his speech, Salahuddin criticised the appointment of a foreign national as the government's national security advisor. 'Do you not understand the gravity of giving a foreign citizen access to our military's security reports?' he asked. 'This man is attempting to turn Bangladesh into a strategic battleground, hiding behind the language of humanitarian corridors and the Rohingya crisis.' He alleged that the appointment had not been discussed with political stakeholders or the public and claimed the advisor had arrogantly dismissed concerns, saying, 'It doesn't matter.' (He was referring to the appointment of Khalilur Rahman as the National Security Advisor in charge of Rohingya issues. Khalilur Rahman has said he is a Bangladeshi national, and challenged Salahuddin's claim that he is a foreigner.) The BNP leader said such a post should never be held by a foreign national and called for the adviser's immediate resignation or removal. 'He is sowing instability. We cannot and will not allow this.' He also condemned the government's apparent move to sign foreign agreements involving the country's strategic ports and transport corridors, arguing that such actions fall well outside the remit of a caretaker administration. 'What authority do you have to strike international deals? Who gave you the mandate to negotiate away our sovereignty? Your only responsibility is to deliver a fair and timely general election.' With elections expected by December, the BNP is increasingly vocal in its calls for electoral reforms and the restoration of public trust. Salahuddin warned that if the government did not act swiftly and decisively to distance itself from partisan influences, the consequences could be severe. 'If Professor Yunus fails to remove the fascist elements within his government and continues to ignore the will of the people, his exit will not be a dignified one,' he warned. Other speakers at the rally—including Jubo Dal President Abdul Monayem Munna, Swechchhasebak Dal President SM Jilani, and General Secretary Nurul Islam Nayan—echoed the BNP's demands and reaffirmed their commitment to political mobilisation if the demands were not met. Salahuddin concluded with a warning that the interim government's continued deviation from its original mandate would not go unchallenged. 'Do not underestimate the people's resolve. We were not silent under autocracy, and we will not remain silent now.'
