NN Online:
National Citizen Party (NCP) Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patwary on Wednesday launched a scathing attack on three government advisers—Dr Asif Nazrul, Dr Salehuddin Ahmed, and Dr Wahiduddin Mahmud—accusing them of acting as “BNP spokespersons.”
Speaking at a demonstration in front of Nirbachan Bhaban, Nasiruddin warned that if reform recommendations are not implemented soon, these advisers will be “forced to resign.” The protest, organized by NCP’s Dhaka City Unit, called for a complete reconstitution of the Election Commission (EC) and the immediate scheduling of local government elections.
“Wahiduddin Bhai is working to destroy education, Salehuddin Bhai is damaging the country’s financial sector, and Asif Nazrul is undermining the Law Ministry,” Nasiruddin alleged. He further accused Asif Nazrul of betraying students and the public, claiming, “He once gave a false assurance about the July Declaration. If there’s a repeat betrayal, I’m not sure if he’ll remain in Bangladesh.”
The NCP leader reiterated their anticipation of the July Declaration, asserting that it would lead to a reformed EC, local government polls, a constituent assembly election, and eventually, a “better Bangladesh.”
Nasiruddin also questioned the legitimacy of the current EC, claiming it was formed under a 2022 law enacted during an authoritarian regime, and without broad political consensus. “The current EC, instead of upholding constitutional neutrality, is acting like a mouthpiece for one party. That is a national disgrace,” he said.
He further demanded that local elections be held before the national election to assess the EC’s impartiality. “There will be no national polls before local elections,” he insisted.
Addressing the BNP, the NCP chief urged the party to prove its popularity through local elections rather than pushing for immediate national polls.
The demonstration began at 12:00 PM and continued until 2:15 PM in Dhaka’s Agargaon area. Protesters alleged that the current EC was formed hastily, before reforms could be implemented, and has already “lost its neutrality.”
