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Stating that the national election could be held between August and October, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party standing committee member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury on Sunday alleged that the government was focusing on everything except their main task of arranging the national election.

‘Why aren’t they [government] doing the work they need to do? They need to immediately declare an election roadmap, give themselves time for that, and focus entirely on the election,’ he said.

Talking to reporters at a city hotel, the BNP leader also said that the government was doing everything except working on the election. ‘Who has given them the responsibility to do everything?’

He said that it might take a week, a day, or even a few hours for the government to announce reforms on which the political parties had reached consensus.

Instead of holding the election, the BNP leader said that the interim government was rushing in other directions and taking major political decisions such as providing a human corridor and handing over the management of Chattogram port to foreigners, pushing the country towards danger. ‘Why are they making these decisions and wasting time? What do they want to demonstrate?’

He said that the country’s people did not give the interim government any mandate to take major and political decisions. The government had to make visible signs of arranging the national election.

Khosru said that the people of Bangladesh had made huge sacrifices for the election, the restoration of democracy, and their ownership of the country. ‘It can’t go in vain in any way.’

The BNP leader said the government had held an investment summit and was undertaking many other activities beyond its duties. He also expressed dissatisfaction over the non-implementation of a court order regarding the mayor of Dhaka South City Corporation. ‘When court orders are not followed, isn’t the rule of law breached?’

Khosru said that different people were constantly taking on various responsibilities despite having no connection with people. ‘They are imported, and they will not understand the problems of the people. Who are they? Who has given them the responsibility to determine in which direction Bangladesh will head in the future?’

He also said that reform had to be carried out through a democratic process instead of implementing any particular quarter’s agenda. ‘The reform will be done as per the people’s wishes and, based on that the future of Bangladesh will be shaped.’

‘Bangladesh is now in an uncertain situation, and no one knows in which direction it is moving forward. The people of Bangladesh ousted a fascist and autocratic regime to restore a democratic system. There’s still no visible sign that the country is moving towards a democratic order.’

He said that all the discussions and activities were taking place as if an elected government was running the country. ‘The more the election is delayed, the more the country is being pushed towards uncertainty and danger, leaving the people of the country and its foreign friends in indecision.’

He added that all future elections had to be held through a fair democratic process. ‘This should become a routine.’