Yunus says at meeting with 7 parties
Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus yesterday said certain quarters are making every effort to foil the election and expressed his resolve to have the polls held as scheduled in early February.
"Those who do not want the interim government to reach the stage of election will obstruct the process in every possible way," he said during a meeting with the leaders of seven political parties and one platform at his official residence, Jamuna.
Leaders of seven political parties and one platform met Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus at his official residence, Jamuna, in Dhaka yesterday. They discussed the issue of the upcoming national elections. The chief adviser warned of attempts to foil the February polls, urging vigilance, unity, and support from political parties. Photo: CA’S Press Wing
"Some signs of these are already visible," the chief adviser said, warning, "more will follow."
"We have to be more vigilant," he told the leaders.
"They will hinder the very process of shaping Bangladesh's sovereign identity. Their utmost effort will be to foil the election and create such a situation that the election cannot be held," CA's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam quoted Yunus after the meeting.
The chief adviser told the leaders that obstacles would be created at every step in arranging the polls.
"They will try to sow discord in everyone's minds. We have to stay on the path, remain calm and united," Yunus said.
Leaders of the AB Party, Ganosamhati Andolan, Gono Odhikar Parishad, Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), Nagarok Oikya Islami Andolon Bangladesh, Jatiya Gono Front, and Islamic outfit Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh attended the meeting.
"The election will be held in the first half of February. We will transfer power to an elected government," Yunus said.
According to the press secretary, Yunus said the election is a test of Bangladesh's ability to stand independently and govern on its own terms.
"We have to make sure that no country can interfere," Yunus said.
With everyone's support, the chief adviser hoped that this would be a landmark election. "This election belongs to all political parties, not to the interim government. We want your all-out support in arranging it," Yunus told leaders.
Speaking to reporters, Islami Andolan Bangladesh presidium member Ashraf Ali Akon said the chief adviser raised concerns about the election at the meeting.
Asked about his party's demand, he said, "We demanded that the Awami League, Jatiya Party, and the 14-party alliance all be banned."
Ashraf described law and order as "out of control". "If the violence cannot be stopped now, how will it be contained during elections to 300 constituencies?" he asked. He also called for a proportionate representation system.
Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh Joint Secretary General Azizur Rahman said they had demanded that the July Charter include the Shapla Square massacre, as well as the arrest of identified criminals and collaborators of the Awami League government.
Ganosamhati Andolan Chief Coordinator Zonayed Saki said Yunus had sought advice and cooperation from political parties regarding the upcoming polls. "We have proposed forming a committee with representatives from parties in the Consensus Commission talks to coordinate the electoral environment."
AB Party Chairman Mojibur Rahman Monju highlighted concerns over governance and law enforcement. "The Chittagong University incident revealed a lack of coordination between the government and law enforcement agencies. Unless this is fixed, doubts about the election will persist."
Quoting the chief adviser, Monju added, "He himself said there is no one in his team with experience in conducting a neutral election. We recommended appointing those with such experience, even on a contractual basis. The chief adviser has said any election is a challenge, and there is no alternative to facing it together."
LDP Secretary General Redwan Ahmed urged that the administration must take measures to remain neutral during the polls.
Meanwhile, Yunus directed the health ministry officials concerned to send Nurul Haque Nur, president of Gono Odhikar Parishad, abroad for better treatment. Nur was injured as security forces beat him up during a clash between supporters of his party and Jatiya Party on Friday night.
The directive was given in the presence of Nur's wife, Maria Akhter, party General Secretary Rashed Khan, and senior joint general secretary Hasan Al Mamun at Jamuna.
Law Adviser Asif Nazrul said a one-member committee led by Justice Ali Reza is being formed to investigate the attack.
