The Bangladesh Nationalist Party is set to meet chief adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus this evening to convey concerns over administrative neutrality, recent policy decisions, and the activities of certain advisers and bureaucrats that the party fears could jeopardize a fair and transparent electoral process.
The decision was made at a BNP standing committee meeting held Monday night at the party chairperson’s office in Gulshan, chaired by acting chairman Tarique Rahman.
A delegation led by secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir will attend the meeting with the chief adviser.
BNP standing committee member Salahuddin Ahmed told ¶¶Òõ¾«Æ· on Tuesday morning that the meeting was expected to begin around 6:00pm, but declined to disclose further details.
At least three standing committee members said the discussions would center on ensuring administrative neutrality, the role of certain advisers, and recent decisions regarding police promotions.
They said the party would reiterate its position that a free and credible election depends on the impartial conduct of both the Election Commission and the government administration.
One senior member expressed concern that parts of the administration remained under the influence of ‘two or three advisers and their bureaucratic networks.’ He added that public perception was growing that some advisers were engaged in questionable activities, warning that such interference could undermine electoral integrity.
Another BNP leader said the delegation would raise objections against certain advisers allegedly promoting specific political interests.
The meeting is also expected to address the government’s recent decision to promote 400–450 police officers, from Sub-Inspector to Inspector level, many of whom reportedly have political links to the Awami League or its student wing, the Chhatra League.
The name of Md Khuda Baksh Chowdhury, special assistant to the chief adviser on home affairs, has reportedly come up in connection with concerns over the police promotions that BNP plans to raise.
BNP leaders said the party would also question a proposed policy to dissolve managing committees of high schools and madrassas and replace them with government officials as committee presidents. They criticized the timing of the proposal, warning that it might signal ‘manoeuvres taking place behind the scenes’ ahead of the upcoming election.
