The BNP and Gono Forum are presenting a united front. The two parties met on Monday, doubling down on their political alliance and their demand for a national election to be held this February.
BNP Standing Committee Member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury spoke to reporters after the meeting. He said the parties would continue their “joint movement” together.
“We have fought together against the fascist dictatorship,” Chowdhury said. “We will continue this trend.”
The discussion follows the ouster of the Awami League government on August 5, which ended a 15-year rule. The change has created what Gono Forum leaders called a “rare opportunity to establish a new, humane Bangladesh.”
A recent meeting in London between BNP’s acting chairman, Tarique Rahman, and the interim government’s chief advisor, Dr. Muhammad Yunus, was a key topic. Chowdhury said that meeting helped clear up public uncertainty surrounding the upcoming election.
“The cloud of uncertainty that was there has been lifted,” he said. “The entire nation has now entered the election tunnel. We are all moving towards the election.”
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The parties are focused on a 31-point reform plan. They intend to implement it through a “national government” formed after the polls. This plan is being discussed in a “Consensus Commission” with other political groups.
Progress in the commission appears to be slow. “So far, we have not been able to agree on any issue except for Article 70 of the constitution,” Chowdhury admitted.
When asked about unruly political behavior, Chowdhury was direct. He said the BNP has a “strong position” against such actions.
“This is the personal problem of those involved. It is not a BNP problem,” he stated. “Justice will choose its own course.”
Regarding a specific election date, Chowdhury said a detailed schedule is usually announced closer to the polling day.
“We have to wait a little,” he explained. “But the nation is moving forward, united, towards an election in the first half of February. That is the important thing.”
