Most political parties, except for the National Citizen Party, have responded with optimism to the outcomes of the London meeting between chief adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus and Bangladesh Nationalist Party acting chairman Tarique Rahman.
The chief adviser and BNP acting chairman agreed at their meeting on Friday that the next national elections could be held in mid-February next year, which will be before the start of Ramadan.
The 12-Party Alliance, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal-JSD, and Ganosamhati Andolan welcomed the decision, viewing it as a positive step towards democratic transition.
The National Citizen Party, however, in its response criticised that the government failed to deliver any clear message regarding the July Declaration, reforms and trials before the election, while saying that the nation would not accept decisions taken abroad.
Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, however, declined to make any immediate comment on the London meeting and its outcomes with its publicity affairs secretary, Motiur Rahman Akand, saying they would issue their official reaction later.
The Communist Party of Bangladesh acknowledged the proposed February timeline but stressed that elections could still be held by December.
Leaders of the 12-Party Alliance, in a press statement, applauded the outcome of the meeting, saying that it would remain a milestone in the country鈥檚 democratic transition.
The chief of the alliance and chairman of a Jatiya Party faction, Mostafa Jamal Haider, hoped that the next general election would be held in the first half of February, before Ramadan, in a free, fair and credible manner.
Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal-JSD president and veteran politician ASM Abdur Rob and general secretary Shahid Uddin Mahmud Shapon said in a press statement that the outcome of the meeting would help the country in its democratic transition.
They, however, emphasised that trials of fascist elements and the implementation of reforms must be ensured before the elections to safeguard people鈥檚 democratic rights.
National Citizen Party chief coordinator Nasiruddin Patwary said at a press conference on the day that people would not accept any decision taken abroad.
鈥楾he country鈥檚 decisions must come from this land,鈥� he told journalists at the press conference held at the party office in Banglamotor in Dhaka city.
He also alleged that the people鈥檚 aspirations were not reflected, as there was no clear message from the government regarding the July Declaration, reforms and trials.
鈥榃ithout those, taking Bangladesh on the road to election just to satisfy a party is like betraying the aspirations of the July uprising and the people,鈥� said Nasiruddin.
Ganosamhati Andolan chief coordinator Zonayed Saki told 抖阴精品 that the decision to hold the next election before Ramadan was certainly positive, and political parties should now reach a consensus on conducting trials and reforms as early as possible.
鈥榃e also wanted the next general election before Ramadan in our meeting with the chief adviser and now want to see the decisions implemented accordingly,鈥� Saki said.
In an initial reaction, CPB general secretary Ruhin Hossain Prince told 抖阴精品 that it was still possible to hold the next general election by December.
鈥楤ut the decision was taken in the meeting to hold the election at the beginning of February, before Ramadan, and we want to see what steps the Election Commission takes to make that happen,鈥� Prince said.
Ramadan in 2026 will start in the second half of February.
Islami Andolan Bangladesh joint secretary general Gazi Ataur Rahman, in a press statement, said that holding the general election in February聽would help end the country鈥檚 ongoing political uncertainty.