The Bangladesh Nationalist Party on Monday said that that chief adviser Mohammad Yunus鈥檚 address to the nation lacked a roadmap for transition to democracy.
Speaking at a discussion, the party鈥檚 secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir hoped that the interim government would soon engage in talks with political parties to make a decision on the national election and state reforms.
鈥榃e are still in a state of confusion as things remain unclear. We had anticipated that the chief adviser would present a roadmap. But we didn鈥檛 find that roadmap for transitioning towards democracy in his speech,鈥� he said at a discussion, adding that the chief adviser, in his speech, indicated some reforms, but these cannot be implemented in a short timeframe.
A faction of Jatiya Party (Zafar) arranged the discussion at the National Press Club, marking the 9th death anniversary of its founder Kazi Zafar Ahmed.
Fakhrul, however, expressed optimism, noting that they believed the situation was moving in a positive direction for the benefit of the people.
Fakhrul said that Yunus correctly stated that the timing of the election was a matter of political decision.
鈥業t will surely be determined by a political decision. But, for this decision to be made, the government needs to engage in discussions with political parties and politicians,鈥� he said, adding that he expressed hope that the chief adviser will soon begin talks with the political parties in this regard.
Earlier on Sunday evening, the interim government鈥檚 chief adviser Yunus in an address to the nation assured that a free, fair, and participatory election would be held after completing necessary reforms in the administration, judiciary, election commission and electoral system.
Saying that the timing of the election was a political decision, he added that it was up to the people to determine how long the interim government would remain in power.
Fakhrul said that the Bangladesh Nationalist Party needed to proceed with great patience and caution as it aimed to give the interim government the opportunity to perform its duties.
鈥榃e have repeatedly said that we are willing to give them a reasonable a logical time to hold a free and fair election,鈥� he said.
About the current flood situation, he said that India鈥檚 opening of dams and submergence of various parts of Bangladesh despite international law forbidding such measures was a criminal offence.
鈥楾here is a provision of informing the lower stream before opening dams, but the internationally recognised norm was not followed this time,鈥� he said.