BNP and other like-minded political parties have planned to put more pressure on the Interim Government to hold election within December. If necerrary they have decided to launch simultaneous anti-goverment movements.
On the other hand, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, National Citizen Party (NCP) and other political parties said the work of the National Consensus Commission will commence shortly, and the reform process will be completed through discussions with political parties. As a result, there is no need for a mass movement for an election.
Experts said the BNP and its like-minded alliance political parties will not adopt any strict political movement right now to press for general elections.
Leaders and activists of various political parties including BNP, Jamaat and NCP have celebrated Eid in their respective areas. Differences in opinion regarding the national elections can also be seen in the Eid greeting posters of political party leaders and activists.
Chief Adviser of Interim Government Dr Muhammad Muhammad Yunus on Friday said at the 6th BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok, Thailand that, holding the national elections at the earliest possible is at the top of his government's agenda.
He said, "I have assured our people that, once our mandate is fulfilled in the conduct of elections as well as the required reform is done, we shall hold a free, fair and participatory election."
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir expressed his disappointed to the Daily Observer, as the Chief Adviser still did not give any clear roadmap about the 13th general election.
He said, "After the 17 years of struggle nation wants to know clear roadmap of the General Election."
BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed told the media that the Chief Adviser announced different times about General Election, now we have to find out why he said like this."
He said, "We will formally convey the message to the chief of the Interim Government after that we will wait for some time to observe what steps he takes and what announcements he makes about election."
"If Chief Adviser does not make any expected announcement we will discuss with other like-minded political parties then we will announce our polirical programme," said Salahuddin.
Jamaat-e-Islami and NCP have been insisting on state reforms and the trial of the fascist Awami League for the July-August crackdown first. They have put the elections after these in terms of priority.
Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami's Central Publicity Department's Secretary Advocate Matiur Rahman Akanda told this correspomdent, "The work of the National Consensus Commission will begin soon, after which the reform work will be completed through discussions with the political parties. Also, the interim government has said that they will hold elections as soon as they complete these works."
"So I don't think there is any need for any kind of movement before the National Consensus Commission and the reform works are completed," said Akhand.
Political analyst, Professor of the Department of Political Science at Dhaka University Sabbir Ahmed believes that increasingly hostile stance among BNP and other political parties could create some tension in grassroots politics in the future.
According to him, in the current political situation, it is unlikely that any political party will create an unstable situation in the country.
