The BNP has called for the immediate completion of election-related reforms and the announcement of a clear roadmap to hold the national parliamentary elections by December.
The party also urged the government to restructure the advisory council by removing controversial advisers to maintain neutrality.
The statement came from BNP Standing Committee Member Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain on Saturday night following a 50-minute meeting between a four-member BNP delegation and Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus at the state guest house Jamuna.
The delegation included Dr. Moin Khan, Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, and Salahuddin Ahmed.
Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain said, "We demand the immediate completion of election-related reform activities and the announcement of a roadmap to hold national elections by December. Any delay in the name of excuses will pave the way for the return of autocracy, and the responsibility for that will fall on the current government and its associates."
He said that the issue of three government advisers stepping down was discussed. "To ensure a free, fair, and impartial election, the advisory council must be restructured by removing controversial advisers in order to uphold government neutrality," he said.
He also added, "BNP has the strongest demand for accountability of the Awami League. If this process of justice remains incomplete, then when BNP comes to power, it will bring those responsible under the law and ensure full justice through an independent judiciary."
UNB adds: Though BNP placed its demand for a specific election roadmap again alongside the trial of fascists and completion of reforms, the party leaders said they did not receive any assurance about it during their meeting with Chief Adviser Prof Yunus on Saturday.
"Reform, trial [of fascists] and election came up for discussions at the meeting. We said these things are mutually exclusive," said BNP Standing Committee member Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain.
He made the remarks while speaking to reporters after an over hour-long meeting with the Chief Adviser at his official residence, Jamuna.
Replying to a question on whether they get any response regarding a specific election timeframe, BNP Standing Committee Member Salahuddin Ahmed said, "We made our demands… But he (Prof Yunus) didn't say anything specific about it."
He, however, said the Chief Adviser's office may give its reaction in this regard later through a media briefing.
Asked whether they were satisfied with the meeting outcome, Salahuddin said, "No need to respond to this question."
Earlier in the day, a four-member BNP delegation, led by Standing Committee Member Dr Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, joined the meeting with Chief Adviser Prof Yunus as part of efforts to defuse mounting political tension in the country.
The other members of the delegation were BNP Standing Committee members Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury and Salahuddin Ahmed.
The meeting, led by BNP Standing Committee Member Dr Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, began at 7:35pm at the Chief Adviser's official residence, Jamuna.
