Talks with chief adviser: Most parties demand timeframe for elections
Islamic political parties assured the chief adviser of their vigilance in preventing any untoward incidents during Durga Puja
Most political parties at exchange meetings with Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus today (31 August) demanded that the interim government arrange the national election within a reasonable timeframe after promptly completing the necessary state reforms.
They also pledged to fully support the government in overhauling the country's election system, election commission, and all state organs – including the police, administration, and judiciary – to ensure a credible national election, restore democracy, and prevent autocracy and misrule.
The political parties also separately submitted their written proposals on state reforms and various demands during the meetings with the chief adviser. The top leaders of the parties also briefed the media about the outcomes of their discussions.
Among them, seven Islamic parties said they assured the chief adviser of remaining vigilant and taking necessary steps to prevent any untoward incidents during the upcoming Durga Puja celebrations of the Hindu community.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
Later, Chief Adviser's Special Assistant Mahfuj Alam said Professor Yunus will present an outline on reforms soon to be brought in state apparatus after holding dialogues with political parties.
"As part of ongoing view-exchanges, the chief adviser exchanged views with political parties today and talked about reforms (to be brought by the interim government) and the outline," said Mahfuj Alam at a press briefing at Foreign Service Academy.
Earlier, on Thursday, the BNP met with the chief adviser and expressed hope for an announcement outlining the plans for holding a national election soon, following necessary reforms.
The chief adviser today held a series of meetings with 35 political parties, including Jatiya Party, Gono Forum, Jasad (Ambia), Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), Islami Andolon Bangladesh, and six other Islamic parties at the State Guest House Jamuna in the capital, reports BSS.
The discussions, which started with the Islamic parties, continued until 8pm.
Law adviser Asif Nazrul, industries adviser Adilur Rahman Khan, religious affairs adviser AFM Khalid Hossain AFM Khalid Hossain and chief adviser's special assistant Mahfuz Alam were present at the meeting.
Environment and Forest Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan said they will continue the dialogue with political parties and accept the reform proposals that emerge from these discussions.
Jatiya Party Secretary General Mujibul Haque Chunnu told the media they urged the chief adviser to implement all necessary reforms in state organs, including the judiciary, police, administration, and constitutional bodies.
"Our chairman told the interim government that it should undertake reforms that an elected government might not address," he said.
Chunnu also said they urged the chief adviser to ensure a balance of power so that the same person cannot hold both the head of government and leader of parliament positions and to prevent anyone from serving as the prime minister more than twice.
Besides, he said they recommended that the government take steps to improve law and order and keep essential commodities within the public's purchasing power. "We suggested that the police force should be more proactive."
The Jatiya Party leader also said they proposed the government focus on completing the reforms demanded by the people and their party before considering the election. "We want to give the government the necessary time to carry out these reforms before holding the election."
Talking to journalists, LDP Chairman Oli Ahmed said they informed the chief adviser that the only way to keep political parties engaged is by providing a clear roadmap or forecast for the elections.
"This roadmap could span six months or nine months. We have emphasised that elections should be held as soon as possible after the necessary reforms are completed. The elections must take place, and the sooner they do, the better it will be for the interim government, the political parties, and the country," he said.
However, Oli stressed that elections should not be conducted before completing essential reforms needed to restore peace, good governance, and democracy. "Reforms must be completed first. We need to restore humanity among the people of the country."
He also mentioned that the government could hold elections to local government bodies before the national elections to keep the political parties busy.
When asked about the chief adviser's response to the LDP's statements on the election, he said, "The chief adviser emphasised that unity among political parties is crucial on every issue. A consensus must be reached by all parties."
The LDP leader also noted that they had submitted an 83-point proposal on state reforms to the chief adviser.
He said they told Dr Yunus that if Jamaat's registration can be cancelled for minor reasons, then why should the registration of the Awami League, which is responsible for the killing of thousands of students and people and for the disappearance of several thousand opposition leaders and activists over 15 years, not be annulled? It is absolutely necessary to cancel their registration.
Oli said they warned the interim government that more untoward incidents could occur in the coming days.
"I informed the interim government that they are still not out of danger. The conspirators remain active… Those who were loyal to Hasina have not been dismissed, and investigations against them have not started. Simply transferring them from one position to another will not resolve the problems…They are enemies of the country and must be imprisoned," he observed.
Islamic parties push for two-term limit on PM tenure
Senior leaders from the parties – the Khelafat Majlish, Nizam-e-Islam, Hefazat-e-Islam, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish, Khelafat Andolon, and Jamiat Ulama-e-Islam – arrived at Jamuna at 3pm and engaged in a one-hour meeting with the head of the interim government.
Following this, the leaders of Islami Andolon met with the chief adviser at 4pm.
During the meetings, the parties called for the next election to be held within a reasonable timeframe and proposed constitutional reforms limiting the tenure of a prime minister to a maximum of two terms.
They also demanded the reform of the Election Commission to expedite the electoral process and suggested the amendment of various controversial laws including the Special Powers Act and Digital Security Act.
Maulana Mamunul Haque, general secretary of the Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish told journalists, "We had fruitful discussions. We have told him (Yunus) to implement the necessary reforms within a reasonable timeframe and avoid unnecessary delays in arranging the elections."
He said the chief adviser also said they will proceed with the elections without delay after the necessary reforms.
Prof Ynus indicated that preparations and arrangements for this are underway.
"We did not specify a precise duration for what constitutes a reasonable timeframe. We did not discuss any specific deadlines," he said.
During the meeting, Mamunul said the Islamic parties assured the interim government of their full cooperation in ensuring the security of temples and puja mandaps during Durga Puja.
He said they demanded the withdrawal of nearly three hundred cases filed against the leaders and activists of Hefazat-e-Islam. "We have requested that these cases be withdrawn as quickly as possible through executive orders and legal processes."
Earlier on 12 August, senior leaders of BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, CPB led by Shah Alam, Gonotantra Mancha, BJP, Islami Andolan Bangladesh, AB Party, Gono Odhikar Parishad, Democratic Left Alliance and NDM held separate meetings with the chief adviser and extended their full support to the interim government.
