Chief adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Wednesday urged the political parties to refrain from activities that could undermine the unity against fascism and create obstacles to the process of the upcoming general election.
He made the call at a meeting with the leaders of 13 political parties at the state guest house, Jamuna, in the capital.
The chief adviser told the meeting that, despite differences and rivalries, political parties needed to make their unity against fascism more visible.
If otherwise, he said, certain forces were viewing the situation as an opportunity, according to the meeting sources.
Seeking cooperation from political parties, Professor Yunus said that free, fair and credible elections would depend not only on the support of law enforcement agencies but also on crucial support from the parties.
The chief adviser convened the meeting in response to Monday鈥檚 jet crash into a school in Dhaka, which killed at least 31 people, mostly primary schoolchildren, and injured 165 others. The incident sparked widespread protests and public outrage in Dhaka.
Following the meeting, political leaders told reporters that they called on the interim government to focus more on maintaining law and order and ensuring public safety.
They also urged the government to handle protests at key institutions like the secretariat with restraint and patience.
The parties demanded a full and trustworthy list of casualties from the jet crash, proper compensation for all the victims and adequate medical treatment for the injured ones.
They also called for a transparent investigation into any negligence behind the crash to restore public trust.
The political leaders expressed concern that key institutions like the police, public administration, and the judiciary were in disarray and that discipline had not been restored in these institutions despite 11 months of the government.
Amar Bangladesh Party president Muzibur Rahman Manju said that they raised concerns over the government鈥檚 credibility, citing doubts about both the reform process and the holding of a free and fair election.
He said that they criticised the government鈥檚 discriminatory behaviour, alleging that some parties were receiving official privileges and protocol while others were being sidelined.
Manju said that public trust in the government had declined. As an example, he cited the confinement of advisers for nine hours at Milestone School following the air crash.
鈥榃e specifically told the chief adviser that four parties鈥� the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, the Jamaat-e-Islami, the Islami Andolan Bangladesh, and the National Citizen Party鈥攁re making violent and provocative statements against each other. While this is undoubtedly their democratic right, such rhetoric is creating tension and if this tension continues to build, it will raise serious doubts about our ability to hold free and fair elections,鈥� he said.
Shahadat Hossain Selim, a leader of the 12-party alliance, said that they urged the interim government not to act out of favour or hostility towards any political party in the lead-up to the upcoming elections.
鈥榃e told the chief adviser that all political uncertainty could be resolved if the election date was announced by August 5,鈥� he said.
Communist Party of Bangladesh general secretary Ruhin Hossain Prince said that they urged the interim government to remain vigilant against three key threats 鈥� the return of autocratic forces, the rise of anti-democratic elements within the country and unequal trade deals with foreign powers, particularly with the United States.
He said that the government must not remain silent or show leniency, especially regarding controversial agreements like the proposed corridor through Rakhine, which were signs of imperialist influence.
Ganosamhati Andolan chief coordinator Zonayed Saki told reporters that they called on the interim government to prioritise law and order and public safety.
Referring to the plane crash, he demanded a full and transparent list of victims and proper compensation and medical support for those affected in the crash.
He also urged the government to announce a clear election date by August 5 and to declare a national charter for reforms based on a broad consensus.
On Tuesday, the chief adviser held a meeting with the representatives of four political parties 鈥� the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, the National Citizen Party, and Islami Andolan Bangladesh.
During the meeting, Professor Yunus called for cooperation from political parties to help maintain stability in the country.
Among others, Revolutionary Workers Party general secretary Saiful Haque,聽 Rashtra Sanskar Andolan leader Hasibuddin Hossain, Nagorik Oikya聽 general secretary Shahidullah Kaiser, Gana Odhikar Parishad president Nurul Haque, Liberal Democratic Party secretary general Redwan Ahmed, Khelafat Majlis leader Ahmed Abdul Quader, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal leader Tania Rob, Bangladesh Samajtantrik Dal general secretary Bazlur Rashid Firoz and Gono Forum general secretary Mohammad Mizanur Rahman attended the meeting.
In a statement, the chief adviser鈥檚 press wing said that all participating parties expressed support for maintaining political and public unity against fascism.
The parties urged the chief adviser to take a firmer stance on maintaining law and order.
The leaders expressed full support for the reform, justice, and election processes, and called for more regular all-party meetings to prevent the rise of fascism and to keep the upcoming elections in focus.
