BNP to highlight polls roadmap as parties' dialogue with CA resumes Saturday

In the third phase dialogue between Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus and political parties slated for Saturday (5 October), the BNP will highlight the roadmap to the next parliamentary elections, party sources said.

The party will also seek details regarding the polls such as necessary arrangements and a timeline, sources within the BNP told The Business Standard.

The party thinks that the upcoming parliamentary polls should be conducted within the next one to one and a half years, said the sources.

"During the dialogue, the BNP will mainly speak on the issue of state management and election roadmap," BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed told the media.

The party will also place some proposals on state reforms, he said.

Talking to TBS, several leaders of the party said prolonged delays in the electoral process may lead to a 1/11-like situation in Bangladesh, potentially under the sway of foreign powers.

The third round of talks between the chief adviser and political parties will take place today at the state guest house Padma, starting with the talks with the BNP at 2:30pm. Later, Jamaat-e-Islami, the Left Democratic Alliance, Hefazat-e-Islam, Islami Andolan Bangladesh, Ganatantra Mancha and AB Party will take part in the dialogue separately.

BNP Standing Committee member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury told the media, "We have received an invitation from Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, and we will be present [in the dialogue].

"At this moment, there is nothing else to convey."

Comprising members of the party's Standing Committee, the BNP delegation will be headed by Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.

Jamaat to stress polls, state reforms

Sources within the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami told TBS that the party wants the national polls to be held within one and a half to two years. Before that, state reforms should also be completed very quickly and efficiently.

The party believes it is essential to avoid unnecessary delays in the execution of reforms.

Talking to TBS, Jamaat's Assistant Secretary General AHM Hamidur Rahman Azad said the party welcomes the reform initiatives by the interim government.

"Given that political parties are the key stakeholders [in the reforms], aligning the process with their opinions will significantly improve the overall reform initiative.

"However, Jamaat-e-Islami is giving the most importance to the election," he added.

The delegation of Jamaat will be headed by its Amir Shafiqur Rahman.

Saiful Haque, general secretary of Biplobi Workers Party which will hold the dialogue on a later date, told TBS that during the dialogue, they will inquire about details of the reform commission formed by the interim government, and its activities.

In addition, the gazette notification of the commission is yet to be published, he added.

Also, the party will draw attention to significant issues, particularly when and how the interim government's political phase will reach its conclusion via a democratic election.

In addition, matters such as the formation of an Election Commission and the updating of the voter list will also be raised, added Saiful.

"Also, the reformation of the police force, bringing the law and order forces to a normal state, as well as the regulation of the traffic system may also be discussed," he said.