Staff Correspondent:

BNP Standing Committee member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury has downplayed talk of a political crisis and underlined his belief that holding the national election before December this year is “possible”.

Speaking at an event organised by the DSE Brokers Association of Bangladesh in Dhaka’s Nikunja on Saturday, he said the people of the country have been longing for a general election for the past 16 years.

“It is the only possible route to a democratic environment. The election can be held before December, so why do we have to wait until December?” he said.

Amid mounting speculation surrounding Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus’s future as head of the interim government, he said: “Where is the crisis? We don’t see any crisis in the country. These aren’t matters that warrant discussion.”

“The focus of discussion should be how quickly we can move forward on the path of democracy in Bangladesh and restore democratic order. A democratic government and parliament will be formed through a fair election in Bangladesh, which will be accountable to the people. This is what the people of Bangladesh have made sacrifices for over the last 16 years.”