Dhaka: BNP acting Chairman Tarique Rahman today announced that the national elections must be held within December 2025. He made this declaration while virtually addressing a youth rally organized by BNP's three front bodies at Nayapaltan.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the BNP leader urged party members to prepare for the national elections expected by December. He expressed concerns over delays in the elections, attributing them to differing intentions within and outside the interim government regarding reforms. Rahman highlighted the growing belief among the populace that these delays may not be in good faith.
The rally was jointly organized by Jatiyatabadi Jubo Dal, Swechchhasebak Dal, and Chhatra Dal, with Jubo Dal President M Monayem Munna presiding. BNP Standing Committee members, including Dr. Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain and Mirza Abbas, were among the speakers, along with leaders from the organizing bodies.
Rahman criticized the obstruction faced by Ishraque Hossain, who was prevented from taking the oath as the mayor of Dhaka South, citing it as a reflection of authoritarian tendencies. He emphasized the importance of maintaining impartiality and credibility within the interim government and cautioned against actions that might erode public trust.
He suggested that members of the government wishing to participate in state administration should resign from their positions and stand for election. Rahman stressed the necessity for the interim government to visibly prepare for elections and provide new voters the opportunity to participate.
Rahman noted that past caretaker governments in Bangladesh have successfully held elections within three months, contrasting it with the current interim government's inability to announce an election date even after ten months. He reiterated that BNP, if elected, aims to transform the population into human resources through various development initiatives.