By Gazipur Report 
BNP leaders feel that the party will suffer if the election is delayed. But because the people want reforms, they don’t want to pressure the government for elections.
BNP wants necessary reforms to ensure free and fair elections after 15 years of very difficult time as opposition party.
The party is skeptical about sweeping reforms. Because, for this, there is a possibility of delay in organizing elections.
One of the reasons, they fear, is that the sweeping reforms on the agenda of the interim government could prolong the tenure of this government.
BNP leaders believe that there are still people from the previous government in the administration, who will create hurdles in the speedy reform process.
BNP Dr. Even if it supports the government led by Yunus, it is very cautious. Because, so far they have not seen any action to withdraw the thousands of cases filed against the party’s leaders and activists including BNP Acting Chairman Tariq Rahman.
A member of the BNP Standing Committee, who did not wish to be named, said, ‘The interim government is somewhat confused about how to deal with the challenges the nation is facing. Huge responsibility on them. But they do not seem to be able to make the transition to democracy as expected by the people.’
The leader also said, ‘If the interim government fails, another chaotic situation will emerge and it will be dangerous not only for BNP but for the entire nation.’
Army Chief General Waqar-uz-Zaman said that elections should be held in the country within one to one-and-a-half years.
Chief advisor Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus, however, said that the date of the next general election will be announced only after consensus is reached with the political parties on reforms and voter list is drawn up.
BNP leaders feel that if the government is serious about the transfer of power, it is possible to hold the next election within 18 months.
Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, a member of the party’s standing committee expressed hope that the government will quickly complete the necessary reforms and go to the elections keeping the hopes and aspirations of the people upheld.
He told The Daily Star, “If for some reason the parties cannot agree, then the responsibility should be left to the next elected government to resolve the issue.”
According to him, reforms are an ongoing process, which will continue.
BNP leaders said, it will not take much time to reform the institutions. But constitutional reform can be complicated.
Regarding constitutional reform, they said, a lot will depend on the areas the government wants to change.
The reform commissions have been asked to submit their reports by December and BNP leaders say the deadline is reasonable. But there will be problems if time passes.
Abdul Moin Khan, another member of the BNP Standing Committee, said that the people of the country have given a mandate to the interim government to transform the country from dictatorship to democracy.
He said, ‘The main mandate of this interim government is to restore democracy. But if they feel that they have been given a mandate to reform everything in this land, then they should be in power for 100 years. It would be wrong for them. Students and masses have not given them such a mandate.
BNP leaders have repeatedly said they will continue to support the interim government, but want a clear roadmap for elections. The government must clear it up, they said, otherwise the situation could worsen.
Salahuddin Ahmed, another member of BNP’s standing committee, said, ‘The reform committees have been given three months to make recommendations, it is logical. So we support it.’
BNP leaders feel that the party will suffer if the election is delayed. But because the people want reforms, they don’t want to pressure the government for elections.