Staff Correspondent

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir today urged the interim government to take steps for consultations over the elections with the political parties soon.

“We have many expectations from the interim government. We believe that they will take step to hold election in a reasonable timeframe. We and the countrymen have belief in this government. But, definitely the election should be held in a logical timeframe,” he said.

The BNP secretary general was addressing a discussion organized by Bhasani Anusari Parishad at the Jatiya Press Club marking the 9th death anniversary of former Prime Minister Kazi Zafar Ahmed.

Urging the interim government to present a clear roadmap for conducting national elections as soon as possible after necessary reforms through consultations with political parties, Fakhrul said they (interim government) all are cordial and qualified persons.

“We want the Chief Adviser to promptly present a roadmap before the public, clearly outlining how the elections will be organised, the necessary reforms will be implemented and how these measures will ease the people’s lives,” he said.

Fakhrul said he does not think only some individuals can carry out the necessary reforms of the state. “It has to be done through people’s participation,” he added.

He called for more visible government action on reforms and the election process.

The interim government, he said, is yet to engage in substantive dialogue with political parties. It will not be work if some people take initiatives of reform, he said, adding elected representatives of people will be needed to this end.

Fakhrul also expressed concern that the government is yet to appoint new vice-chancellors, even though many of the previous VCs have already resigned. “We want to see that the new vice-chancellors are acceptable to all stakeholders,” he said.

He said they do not want the individuals, who had affiliations with the Awami League government, tortured people, embezzled public funds and contributed to the country’s downfall, to be the part of the interim government.

Fakhrul urged his party leaders and activists to remain beside the flood affected people.

Jatiya Party (Kazi Zafar) chairman Mostafa Jamal Haider, Nagorik Oikkyo president Mahmudur Rahman Manna, JSD general secretary Shahid Uddin Mahmud Swapan and BNP chairperson’s advisor Jahir Uddin Swapan, among others, addressed the meeting with Parishad convenor Rafiqul Islam Babul in the chair.