BNP weighing street protests as it smells polls delay plot

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Dhaka, March 13 – While there were initial hopes for the national election by the year-end, leaders of the BNP now feel that there is a deliberate effort to extend the tenure of the interim government and delay the polls, using the need for reforms as a pretext.

Speaking to UNB, senior BNP leaders also accused the interim government of deliberately evading a clear election roadmap in spite of their party’s repeated demands.

They argued that contradictory statements from the Chief Adviser and several other advisers regarding the election timeline have only deepened their suspicions about the government’s true intentions and its determination to cling to power.

Amid these concerns, BNP policymakers, at their last standing committee meeting on Monday decided to intensify street protests to expose what they describe as an "electoral conspiracy" and ramp up pressure on the government to announce a clear election roadmap.

As part of this strategy, BNP leaders and activists will stage nationwide rallies and public gatherings throughout April and May.

Some standing committee members also proposed holding a massive public rally in Dhaka to set a deadline for the government to declare the election date.

A BNP Standing Committee member, speaking on condition of anonymity, said it has become clear to them that the government is intentionally prolonging the election process under the guise of reforms, discussions about a Constituent Assembly election, a Second Republic, and strengthening local government.

He said they think some advisers within the interim government are engaging in underhanded tactics to delay the election.

“We also sense that the government is giving undue importance to what the National Citizen Party (NCP) and Jamaat are saying. It doesn't seem like they will easily leave power or hold the election. So, we're now planning to intensify our movement to pressure the government into holding elections by the end of the year,” the BNP leader said.

He said some of their policymakers have proposed holding rallies in all divisional cities, including Dhaka, to demand the government set a clear election roadmap and promptly complete the necessary reforms.

At the rally in Dhaka, the BNP leader said they suggested that the party issue an ultimatum to the government, demanding a specific roadmap for the election.

Another BNP standing committee member said their policymakers are in favour of staying on the streets to thwart any attempts to delay the election and democratic transition.

“A strong push must be made to mount pressure on the interim government for holding election. We’ve recently held rallies in various districts to make our stance on the election clear. This trend must continue,” he said.

The BNP leader said most of the party’s policymakers have agreed to work out various programmes to ensure a strong presence of party leaders and activists on the streets from mid-April to May. “We’ll gradually escalate our actions, including marches toward the Chief Adviser’s office and the Election commission,” he said.

“We supported the interim government from the very beginning, but over time, our confidence in it has started eroding. The government is losing its neutrality as it backs the student’s party NCP. It is deliberately delaying the election to give NCP time to reorganise. So, we now believe we must return to the streets to restore democracy and the people’s right to vote,” he said.

The BNP policymaker also mentioned receiving concerning messages from foreign diplomats about the government’s intentions regarding the election. “We’re preparing to confront a new plot against the country and our party,” he said.

As part of this alleged plot, he said some major companies are reportedly supporting Jamaat and NCP by providing significant financial backing. “They are spreading propaganda against the BNP to tarnish our reputation and are trying to keep us out of power. We remain vigilant about this,” he observed.

BNP standing committee member Mirza Abbas, speaking at a programme on Wednesday, said the public perception of a plot to delay the election under the pretext of reforms is not baseless.

“The government can even arrange the election by June or July after completing the reforms by slightly modifying our 31-point proposal. The government has said it will hold the election in December, but I fail to understand the reason behind the unnecessary delay," he said.

The BNP leader also criticised some political parties for supporting the delay of the election under the guise of reforms.

Contacted, BNP Standing Committee member Gayeshwar Chandra Roy said their party has been pushing for the restoration of democracy through a credible election for the last 17 years. “We’ve been patient, trusting the interim government, but we won’t stay idle for long. Even if we don’t want to, we may have to take to the streets to ensure the election.”

He said there is no need to buy more time for the election in the name of reforms. “Reform is an ongoing process. We want reforms, but elections cannot be delayed for them. Elections must be held as soon as possible. Necessary reforms should be done to organise a free, fair, and acceptable election and the remaining reforms can be carried out by the elected government.”

Gayeshwar said the interim government should not treat BNP as an opposition party, pushing it to take to the streets.

Said BNP’s main demand over the past 17 years has been a fair election. “There is no reason to deviate from this demand. - UNB