TDS Desk:

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has started talks with its like-minded political parties, which waged a simultaneous movement against the fascist Awami League regime, to discuss parliamentary elections decide their course of action and consolidate their unity.

The BNP liaison committee began their dialogue by holding a meeting with leaders of the 12-party alliance at the party chairperson’s Gulshan office in the capital on Saturday.

BNP liaison committee members, headed by party Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, participated in the meeting at 4pm. BNP Standing Committee members Nazrul Islam Khan, Selima Rahman and Vice Chairman Abdul Awal Mintoo attended the meeting.

Later, they held separate meetings with the leaders of Jatiyatabadi Shamamana Jote and the Labour Party.

The party will hold meetings with other like-minded parties and alliances.

Talking to this correspondent, Jatiya Ganatantrik Party-JagPa (faction) president Lutfar Rahman, also a top leader of the Jatiyatabadi Shamamana Jote, said the meeting discussed that the interim government must hand over power to an elected government instead of confusing people.

“The meeting viewed that the country is crippled with manifold problems currently, after ousting the fascist Sheikh Hasina-led government. Only a government with people’s representatives can resolve the crises,” he said.

Lutfar Rahman further said they also discussed their next course of action and remained united in demand of holding the general election immediately.

“We will hold more meetings again to finalise our next course of action,” he added.

A senior leader of the BNP, wishing not to be named, said they are discussing the country’s latest political situation and seeking the opinions of the alliance partners regarding the upcoming election.

He said they would work out their next course of action based on the suggestions of their like-minded political parties.

The BNP leader said they are emphasising strengthening their unity among the like-minded parties to thwart any conspiracy.

Another leader of the 12-party alliance said the BNP leaders suggested that the allies echo the demand for an announcement of a specific election road map immediately and to hold the parliamentary election within 2025.

He said the leaders also discussed the ongoing efforts by those involved in the Anti-Discrimination Movement to form a political party, the “Jatiya Nagorik Committee”.

After the meeting, Jatiya Party (faction) president Mostafa Jamal Haider, also the leader of the 12-party alliance told reporters, “The BNP, the 12-party alliance and those who are in movement for a long time have to be more united to wage movement.”

He also said that a programme will be announced very soon with other political parties.

Mostafa Jamal Haider said, “We have discussed what our programmes should be in the current political situation, but have not reached any final decision.” BNP leader Nazrul Islam Khan said the meeting exchanged views on various issues, including the country’s current political economic and public suffering.

He said, “Discussions are ongoing with like-minded parties and will continue. In the context of these discussions, the course of action will be decided, which will be announced later.”

At this time, praising the role of the 12-party alliance in the past few days, Nazrul Islam Khan said, “We have worked unitedly for a long time and we were in simultaneous movements. The 12-party alliance has played a very courageous and effective role in the fight to overthrow fascism.”

On 16 December, Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus indicated that the 13th Parliamentary Election might be scheduled for the end of 2025 or the first half of 2026.

A day later, his Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam clarified that the next general election could be expected to take place by 30 June 2026.

BNP insiders said the party Standing Committee in its meeting held on Wednesday night decided that the party will launch a movement demanding a clear roadmap for early elections.

The leaders have indicated that if a clear roadmap is not announced by January next year, the programme will start from early February. Along with this, there will be protests against rising commodity prices, and deteriorating law and order situations, sources added.

Talking to this correspondent, a BNP senior leader, wishing not to be named, said BNP Standing Committee Member Salahuddin Ahmed has gone to London to meet party acting chairman Tarique Rahman to finalise the decision.

“Salahuddin Ahmed is scheduled to meet Tarique Rahman several times in London. If all goes well, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia is scheduled to go to London for advanced treatment on 30 December. She will return before February. So, movement can start after Khaleda Zia returns,” he added.

The BNP leader further said within this time, the BNP is also preparing to receive Tarique Rahman, who will return home in 2025, if everything remains normal.

Addressing a programme in Haluaghat in Mymensingh on Saturday, BNP Standing Committee Member Goyeshwar Chandra Roy said the incumbent government will lose its neutrality if it delays the next general election to facilitate the formation of a new political party.

Speaking at another programme in Dinajpur, BNP Standing Committee Member AZM Zahid Hossain said people cannot be misled by forming a party under the patronage of the interim government.

“Everyone has the right to form a political party, and we welcome it. But many parties have been formed in the past, and at various times, there have been kings’ parties, but the people did not accept them,” he added.

Zahid Hossain urged the interim government to save the country by announcing a roadmap for early elections and handing over power to the elected government.