Amid a rapidly intensifying and chaotic political landscape, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is preparing to launch a nationwide campaign aimed at pressuring the interim government, led by Nobel Laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus, to expedite elections.

The BNP is amplifying its call for early elections, warning that extended reforms under the interim administration risk undermining democratic norms and delaying the nation’s return to elected governance.

Over the next few weeks, the party plans to organize a series of large-scale rallies, discussions, workshops, and intimate yard meetings, spanning the country.

Central to these gatherings is the unveiling of the BNP’s 31-point reform plan, a comprehensive blueprint that addresses much-needed governance changes while laying the groundwork for its electoral promises.

By showcasing this vision, the BNP hopes to galvanize public support and underline the urgency of prompt elections.

“Our rallies and organizational activities will persistently urge the government to announce an election roadmap,” said BNP Joint Secretary General Syed Moazzem Hossain Alal in an interview with Bangla Outlook.

“If the government fails to respond to our call, we will not hesitate to launch a movement to safeguard the people’s voting rights.”

Alal also didn’t hold back in criticizing the interim government’s handling of the economy. He accused it of failing to tackle skyrocketing prices of essential commodities and the worsening state of law and order.

 “This interim government is supposed to pave the way for elections, not extend its tenure under the guise of reforms,” he stated, warning that further delays would deepen the nation’s crises.

Rallying the Nation

Adding to the momentum, BNP’s Acting Chairperson Tarique Rahman issued a stark warning about the dangers of postponing elections.

Speaking virtually at the Chuadanga District BNP Conference, Rahman cautioned that delays would only fuel conspiracies, with both domestic and international players allegedly working to undermine democratic processes.

 “The longer the elections are delayed, the more conspiracies will intensify. Autocrats, who have faced years of public protests, are not idle. They continue to conspire with their allies,” Rahman remarked.

Sources inside BNP told Bangla Outlook that as part of its mobilization strategy, the BNP is set to organize a series of large-scale rallies across its ten organizational divisions, starting next month.

The highlight of this campaign will be a major rally in Dhaka on December 16, Victory Day, which the party intends to use as a demonstration of its political strength and relevance.

The BNP’s organizational might was already on display during its November 7 rally in Dhaka, commemorating National Revolution and Solidarity Day.

Drawing massive crowds, the event underscored the BNP’s standing as a formidable political force.

“This rally proved once again that the BNP cannot be sidelined. Any major decision regarding the country’s governance must involve the BNP,” a Standing Committee member asserted, emphasizing the party’s central role in national politics.

In the lead-up to the 13th parliamentary elections, the BNP is also prioritizing unity within the opposition bloc, party insiders told Bangla Outlook.

The party has directed its leaders to maintain cooperative ties with its allies, including Jamaat-e-Islami, to avoid discord over electoral strategies.

This collaborative approach is seen as crucial to forming a national consensus and strengthening the BNP’s demands for early elections, the Standing Committee member said.

“For the BNP, this campaign is about more than electoral reforms; it is a fight to preserve democratic norms and secure a stronger voice in shaping the country’s governance,” the member who preferred to be unnamed, added.

Is a clash imminent?

It is to be noted that the interim government has unveiled a comprehensive plan to implement reforms across six key sectors to prevent the return of authoritarian rule and ensure free and fair elections.

Expanding its efforts, the government has recently established six new commissions to tackle issues in areas such as media regulation, governance, and economic policy.

However, it remains firm in its stance that elections will only be held once significant milestones in these reforms are achieved.

In a recent interview with Channel 24, Nahid Islam, the Information and Broadcasting Adviser, underscored this position. “

“The government is accountable to the aspirations of the people, not to any political party. Elections will proceed based on the progress of the Reform Commission’s work, regardless of the BNP’s pressure,” he stated.

The BNP however has strongly criticized these delays, arguing that they undermine democratic principles.

Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir warned that prolonged postponements would intensify the country’s challenges and fuel widespread public dissatisfaction.

“Fair elections are the responsibility of an elected government. The interim government’s role should be limited to facilitating this process,” he asserted.

During its Standing Committee meeting on November 4, the BNP set a decisive timeline: if an election roadmap is not announced by December, the party will escalate its protests in March and April next year.

This phased strategy aims to build momentum and maximize public engagement in its campaign for early elections.

Focusing on peaceful demonstrations, BNP leaders are confident that their growing presence on the streets will pressure the interim government to act.

“We are committed to creating pressure through peaceful demonstrations and will intensify our movement if necessary,” reaffirmed Joint Secretary General Alal.

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