BNP looks happy after talks; polls as quickly as possible: Law Adviser

Law Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul on Wednesday said the interim government is committed to holding the national election “as early as possible” within the repeatedly mentioned time frame - December 2025 to June 2026.

Briefing reporters in front of state guest house Jamuna after a meeting between the BNP delegation and Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, the adviser said December 2025 to June 2026 does not mean that they will deliberately delay the election or are intentionally trying to delay it to enjoy power.

The law adviser said it is not the case at all that they unnecessarily want to stay in power for a month or two months longer.

Referring to the Chief Adviser's commitment to the nation, the adviser said there is no way to go beyond June 2026.

"We said it categorically, no matter who says what. The chief adviser repeatedly said this to the nation. That’s the position," he said, urging all not to get confused.

The adviser said they explained things to the BNP delegation which is always a pro-reform political party. "It seems that BNP is very sincere regarding reforms," Asif Nazrul said.

Asif Nazrul said BNP will sit with the National Consensus Commission soon and the July declaration will be issued very soon. “If the July declaration is issued, it might play a role in expediting the election,” he said, adding that they feel that BNP is very sincere about reforms.

He said BNP has spoken openly and mentioned that some decisions of the interim government have gone against them. “We have given them examples that many decisions have gone in their favor,” the adviser said.

“They (BNP leaders) said the BNP has been oppressed for the last 15 years. We have shown respect. They said that BNP is a reformist party, we have agreed to this,” said the Adviser.

Talking to reporters, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said they are not satisfied at all and conveyed to the interim government that if the election is not held by December the country’s political and social situation will deteriorate further and it will be very difficult to bring under control.

Asked about BNP’s reaction, Adviser Asif Nazrul said the BNP Secretary General obviously has the right to say this as different individuals perceive things differently from the discussion. “It seemed to us that they were happy and they got answers to the questions they had.”

Asked about BNP’s fears due to possible election delay, the Adviser said there is no reason to be feared as the interim government remains cautious.

He said the government took BNP’s opinions into their consideration very respectfully.

Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam said the meeting lasted for two hours and four advisers – Dr Salehuddin Ahmed, Dr Wahiduddin Mahmud, Adilur Rahman Khan and Dr Asif Nazrul – accompanied the Chief Adviser Dr Yunus at the meeting with the BNP delegation.

Chief Adviser’s Deputy Press Secretaries Apurba Jahangir and Abul Kalam Azad Majumder were also present during the media briefing.