‘Poll delay will deepen crisis’
Staff Reporter :
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has reiterated its call for the prompt holding of national elections, describing it as the only viable path to resolving the current political crisis facing the country.
Speaking at a press briefing on Wednesday at the BNP Chairperson’s office in Gulshan, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir stated that Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus had assured political leaders during a meeting the previous evening that a formal announcement regarding the forthcoming elections would be made shortly, with polls expected by mid-February 2026.
“The Chief Adviser has given his word that elections will be held by mid-February. We emphasised that necessary preparations must begin without delay to meet this target,” said Mirza Fakhrul. “We also urged him to make a formal declaration as soon as possible to eliminate lingering uncertainty. He responded positively and indicated that he intends to do so.”
According to the BNP, the assurance from the interim administration is a critical step toward restoring confidence in the political process. Mirza Fakhrul noted that without a functioning political government, the ongoing crisis is likely to deepen further.
“Our position has always been consistent – the sooner the elections are held, the sooner the country can return to democratic governance,” he said. “Delays will only prolong the instability.”
Regarding recent calls for political dialogue, the BNP leader confirmed that his party had participated in the ongoing discussions led by the National Consensus Commission and had extended full cooperation.
“We responded to the Chief Adviser’s invitation to dialogue in good faith and reiterated the urgency of accelerating the election process,” he noted.
Addressing concerns over the unity of the opposition bloc, Mirza Fakhrul maintained that cooperation among allied parties remained strong. “Some media reports have highlighted debates or differences of opinion. But in a democracy, such discourse is natural. Political dialogue involves diverse viewpoints – that’s part of democratic vibrancy,” he said.
He added, “Democracy means allowing a hundred flowers to bloom. It’s about creating space for all voices and fostering a culture of inclusivity. That’s how a truly democratic society thrives.”
When asked about whether party leaders should be eligible to serve as head of government, Mirza Fakhrul said the matter was under consideration as part of the Consensus Commission’s reform agenda. “We’ve submitted our views, as have other parties. Let’s see what direction the dialogue takes,” he responded.
On the recent training aircraft crash in Uttara, the BNP leader described the incident as tragic. “From initial reports, it appears the aircraft was being used for training. It was reportedly the pilot’s final solo flight before qualifying,” he said. “It seems the pilot tried to avoid crashing into a densely populated area but could not prevent the accident. While we cannot confirm all details, it is indeed a deeply unfortunate event.”
The meeting between the BNP and its allies also included representatives from the Nationalist Indigenous Peoples’ Party and focused on preparations for an upcoming conference on indigenous community issues, scheduled for 30 August in Mymensingh.
This engagement is part of BNP’s broader outreach efforts aimed at strengthening ties with allied groups and communities ahead of the anticipated national election.