Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus is determined to hold the national election in February. He reaffirmed this yesterday in Malaysia. A letter has already been sent to the Election Commission, and the Chief Election Commissioner has said that the election schedule will be announced in December.
Nevertheless, various conspiracies have begun to block the election. To counter these, BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman has, in recent days, called on party activists at rallies to remain vigilant. Meanwhile, the NCP has declared that the election will not take place in February. Several platforms have already become active to ensure all reforms are completed before the polls. Under the guise of surveys, new information is being released—most of it favoring the disruption of the February election. Many of those conducting these surveys are well-known, while some individuals and organizations are working for reforms. Yet, the Consensus Commission has already reached a basic agreement on reforms with all political parties. Since some work of the Consensus Commission is still pending, its deadline has been extended until September 15 to complete the tasks.
In this situation, while candidates from BNP and most other parties have begun active campaigning, those who do not want the February election are also continuing their activities in their own way. Some allege that even within the government, a faction is involved in conspiracies to block the February election. The upcoming DUCSU, CUCSU, and RUCSU student union elections are seen as part of that plot. Political analysts believe that by disrupting the environment of these three universities, there could be an attempt to derail the national election.
When asked, BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed said that the joint statement issued in London regarding the election is intolerable to many. Since then, conspiracies, conflicts, and bloodshed have started. Issues are being manufactured in various ways to create an unstable environment in the country. Through this, one group wants to show that the environment is not suitable for elections. The main reason behind all of this, he said, is to delay the election.
Jatiya Party (Zafar) chairman and 12-party alliance chief Mostafa Jamal Haider said there is no doubt that various efforts are ongoing to block the February election. He met with Tarique Rahman two days ago and found him quite optimistic about the election at that time. However, in the last two days at BNP rallies, Tarique Rahman has spoken of election conspiracies. This is not without basis, as there are various unresolved issues that cannot be ignored.
National Citizen Party (NCP) chief coordinator Nasiruddin Patwari stated that although the date for the election has been announced for February, it will not take place then. He made this declaration yesterday afternoon at an event at the Krishibid Institution in the capital.
Parties supporting the February election say that in line with the interim government’s commitment, there are multiple conspiracies to disrupt the upcoming parliamentary election. They suspect that deliberate deterioration of law and order through planned attacks and clashes, insults toward top BNP leaders, and various smear campaigns against the party are all part of a blueprint to block the election. They allege that a certain group has plans to form a “revolutionary government,” and recent attempts to stage various unpleasant incidents are part of that plan.
Several political parties are allegedly trying to create instability in the country. If the current government’s tenure is extended, they would retain a certain level of control. Fearing they may not be able to gain power through elections, they are planning various incidents as part of an effort to block BNP. They are using a new political party for this purpose, with the ultimate aim of preventing the election. Those who are enjoying power without an election may lose that power afterward.
They further claim that to obstruct the transition to democracy and derail the promised parliamentary election in February, this group is deliberately increasing mob violence, murder, robbery, looting, extortion, and other criminal activities. The incompetence and indifference of the relevant government departments are worsening the situation. Advisors responsible for addressing these issues are only making statements to the media without taking effective action, thereby giving conspirators an opportunity to sabotage the February election.
Bd-pratidin English/ ANI
