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Amid the growing nuisance of political rhetoric, Chief Adviser Prof Mohammad Yunus has invited BNP to hold a talk on Sunday at his official residence, the State Guest House, Jamuna in Dhaka.

“There is no lack of formalities for discussion, but it yields no outcome,” BNP Standing Committee Member Salahuddin Ahmed said, confirming the meeting while addressing a programme in the capital, Dhaka, on Saturday.

Blaming the government for wasting time in the name of reform, he said, “The government must hold the national election before December, as there is no reason to delay it beyond the month.”

The BNP leader also urged the government to explain whether there is any logical reason to hold the election after December.

He also expressed his regret, saying that a certain quarter is deliberately branding BNP leaders as traitors and agents of other countries.

The quarter is engaged in creating a division in the nation after being inspired by the defeated fascist forces, he alleged.

Several senior leaders of BNP has criticised the chief adviser for his reported comment while on a state trip in Japan that only BNP wants an election in the country by December this year.

https://www.daily-sun.com/post/807611

Looks like the pressure is building from all sides,

Political party Gono Forum on Friday said that it wants the national elections should be held in the month of December.

The party said, it has been demanding that reforms necessary for free, fair and credible elections be carried out so that the election could be held in December.

The party also said that the statement made by the chief advisor of the interim government Professor Muhammad Yunus during his Japan visit that no party other than one wants the elections in December, is not true.

Gono Forum's presidium council meeting was held on Friday afternoon at the party's central office. Presidium council member SM Altaf Hossain chaired the meeting which was also attended by the party's general secretary Md Mizanur Rahman, presidium council members Subrata Chowdhury, Jaglul Haider Afrik, Mesbahuddin, Mustaq Ahmed, Suraiya Begum, Selim Akbar, Shah Nuruzzaman and others.

A press release of Gono Forum, outlining the issues discussed in the meeting, stated that the statements made by the chief advisor and other advisors regarding the election appeared vague and confusing. This was creating a division among active political parties.

https://bangladeshpost.net/posts/gono-forum-wants-js-polls-in-dec-152028

“Several parties, including the BNP, want a national election by December, but we believe that a fair election is not possible under the current government. We have no confidence in this government,” the party’s Secretary General Mujibul Haque Chunnu said

https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/politics/fair-election-not-possible-under-govt-japa-hold-countrywide-rally-tomorrow-over

BNP Joint Secretary General Syed Imran Saleh Prince has said that all the country’s political parties, with the exception of two unregistered ones, are in favor of holding the national election by December.

“Why is the chief advisor so fond of unregistered parties? The nation wants to know the facts. We will not tolerate any delay in the election,” he said while addressing a programme held at Dhobaura Upazila of Mymensingh on Friday.

BNP organised the programme, marking the 44th death anniversary of the party founder, Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman.

The countrymen have fought for democracy and the national election and sacrificed their lives as they want the election to be held immediately, said the BNP leader.

“We, people, know how to point fingers when necessary, if the current administration wants to hang on to power, changing its name and character without any election,” he warned.

Expressing grave concern over the country’s prevailing situation, he said the countrymen are experiencing the government's overall activities with extreme anger and frustration.

“We want to know whether the interim government wants the election. The nation expects a responsible role from the chief adviser,” he said.

He also distributed food among the needy people and the Holy Quran among the orphan boys in the area to make the event successful.

https://www.daily-sun.com/post/807502

BNP Standing Committee member Mirza Abbas says that only one person is against holding the national election by December.

Abbas spoke to reporters on Friday after paying his respects at the grave of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman in Dhaka's Sher-e-Bangla Nagar on his 44th death anniversary.

Responding to a statement made by Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus about the election timeline during his ongoing visit to Japan, Abbas said: “It is with great regret that I saw Muhammad Yunus disparaging the BNP while sitting in Japan. He felt no shame in speaking negatively about the country while abroad. He claimed that only one party wants elections.”

“But what we want to say is that it’s not one party, but rather one person, who doesn’t want elections. And that person is Dr Yunus himself.”

https://thefinancialexpress.com.bd/national/politics/only-one-person-opposes-december-vote-mirza-abbas-snaps-back-at-yunus

Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus reaffirmed today that a general election will be held in Bangladesh by June next year under any circumstances, stressing that the polls are essential to continue the reform agenda undertaken by the interim government.

https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/general-election-june-2026-under-any-circumstances-chief-adviser-3905631

Election must be held within December: Tarique

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has said that the upcoming national election must be held by December.

He made the call during a rally titled "Establishing the Political Rights of the Youth", jointly organised by Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, Jubo Dal, and Swechchhasebak Dal in front of the BNP's central office at Nayapaltan in the capital.

https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/politics/news/election-must-be-held-within-december-tarique-3905596

YKIR

“We witnessed a huge gathering of youths at our Chattogram rally. Our targets in Khulna and Bogura have been fully achieved, drawing the attention of youths from all walks of life. We expect that at least 15 lakh young people will join our Dhaka rally, breaking all previous records,” he said at a press briefing on Monday.”

(1,500,000) people

https://thefinancialexpress.com.bd/national/bnp-wings-rally-traffic-gridlock-paralyses-parts-of-dhaka

A Nugget of wisdom Finally

We share the concern that our industrialists recently expressed regarding the ongoing power and gas crisis in the nation. Our manufacturing sector is facing an existential crisis as a result of chronic energy shortages. While ours is a rebuilding nation, a prolonged power crisis threatens each and every person in the country beyond our industrial sector.

These warnings must not be taken lightly and the consequences of inaction could be catastrophic: A collapse of investor confidence, widespread job losses, and perhaps most serious of all, potential social unrest.

While the reason we are in this crisis is due to the inactions of the previous administration, we must nevertheless devise solutions to ensure reliable energy supplies. This must be among the first priorities for this and subsequent administrations to address.

Against this backdrop, the recent approval by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) of nine major development projects -- two of which directly address power transmission and renewable energy integration -- offers a glimmer of hope and some much-needed first steps toward stabilizing the nation’s energy infrastructure. Indeed, their combined allocation of over Tk 4,600 crore signals a recognition, at the highest levels, of the urgency to modernize and expand the power grid.

However, optimism must be tempered with realism. Much like all of the previous megaprojects undertaken in the country, these projects will only make a meaningful difference if they are executed efficiently, within budget, and on schedule.

History should have taught us by now that Bangladesh cannot afford further delays or cost overruns, nor can it allow bureaucratic inertia to undermine implementation.

Our future must consist of pro-active investment working in tandem with decisive policy action to resolve the immediate power crisis and subsequent crises that will inevitably emerge. Only this will restore confidence in the country and steer us towards a meaningful rebuild.

https://www.dhakatribune.com/opinion/editorial/382340/addressing-our-power-woes

Https://en.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/politics/2mig07ftf4

BNP has expressed its disappointment over the government’s failure to make any clear announcement regarding the national election, even after the meeting between the chief adviser and leaders of political parties. The party has called for the immediate announcement of a specific roadmap to form a national parliament through a free and fair election by December.

If not, BNP warned, it will be difficult for them to maintain their cooperation with the government. The party also said, the statement issued by the advisory council after the meeting between the political parties and the chief advisor, was unclear and confusing. Basically, weakness and a lack of neutrality in running the government had given rise to apprehensions in the public mind.

BNP leaders made these observations in the afternoon today, Tuesday, at an emergency press briefing held at the BNP chairperson's Gulshan office.

BNP's standing committee chairman Khandakar Musharraf Hussain read out the written statement at the media briefing. He said, a stir was created all over the country centering news that the chief advisor of the interim government, Professor Muhammad Yunus, was wanting to relinquish his duties. At that point the head of the interim government met with BNP and other political parties and organisations. BNP was disappointed that the statement made by the chief advisor's press secretary regarding the meeting with political parties, did not offer any specific roadmap concerning the election.

Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain said that since reforms are an ongoing process, both the reforms and election processes can proceed simultaneously. At the same time, the trial of fallen fascist forces and individuals , that is, parties and persons accused of crimes against humanity, will also continue.

He noted that the government’s claim that the normal working environment has been disrupted is, in fact, a result of the government’s own actions.

More demand for coal, where will it come from?

https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/govt-revives-cancelled-coal-power-plant-1152576

In a major policy shift, the interim government has revived the proposed phase-2 of the 1,200-megawatt Matarbari coal-fired power plant, reversing the previous government's decision to ditch the project in 2021.

The Business Standard Google News Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel

The reversal came considering the cost effectiveness of electricity production as most of the infrastructure development was completed under phase-1 project.

The Planning Commission already approved the project and is now vying for arranging new financiers for this project as Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica) cancelled the finance of this project in 2022 on ground of environmental impact.

Seems all BD press now running the story from Army Chief now.

Now we have various political parties demanding removal of different Advisors, saying that they favour a certain party. Making the Interim Government have favourites.

Protest after protest, about the only thing BD are good at. Sounds like absolute chaos.

Hope peace comes to the country soon.

Roll on the Election

Pressure really building now:

Leaders of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party at a discussion on Wednesday called on the interim government headed by Professor Muhammad Yunus to hold general elections as early as possible for democratic transition of the country.

The Bangladesh Crime Reporters Society organised the discussion at the National Press Club in the capital Dhaka to mark World Press Freedom Day observed on May 3.

BNP standing committee member Abdul Moyeen Khan said that holding the general elections as early as possible was required for democratic transition of the country.

He said that reforms of constitution and ruling system were a continuous process and in the name of reforms, delaying national election would not be acceptable.

If voted to power, the BNP will make the reforms after the national elections, he said.

He also called on all political parties to maintain the national unity for implementing the spirits of July uprising.

Barkatullah Bulu, vice-president of the BNP, said that their party would introduce democratic rule in the country, if voted to power in the next general elections.

For the introduction of democratic rule, freedom of the press is a must and the BNP would ensure press freedom, he said.

Bangladesh Crime Reporters Society president SM Abdul Halim Basar chaired the discussion.

https://www.newagebd.net/post/politics/265513/bnp-calls-for-early-polls

Story getting out to the wider press now

https://thefinancialexpress.com.bd/national/election-should-be-held-by-december-army-chief

Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman has stated that the national election should be held by December this year.

Speaking at the Officers’ Address held at the Sena Prangan in Dhaka Cantonment on Wednesday, he reiterated his previously stated position, emphasising that only an elected government has the legitimate authority to determine the future course of the country.

The event was attended by army officers of various ranks stationed in Dhaka, with several others joining virtually.

In addition to the election, topics such as regional corridors, ports, and ongoing reforms were also discussed, according to officers who were present at the event.

With Eid-ul-Azha approaching, the Army Chief called for necessary support to ensure that people can celebrate the festival in a safe and festive environment.

In his address, General Waker emphasised that the Bangladesh Army will never engage in any activity that could harm the nation's sovereignty.

He instructed army personnel at all levels to remain neutral and to carry out any future electoral duties with honesty and dedication.

He thanked the armed forces for fulfilling their responsibilities amid evolving circumstances.

“We are cooperating with the interim government and will continue to do so,” the Army Chief added.

China has sought a better investment climate in Bangladesh as its businesses are ready to set up establishments here, officials said on Tuesday.

They said many Chinese businesses at a working-group meeting in Dhaka last week expressed their willingness to invest in Bangladesh and stressed the need to improve the business climate

The 'impoverished business climate' has long been preventing them from moving ahead with their plans, they pointed out at the meeting of the joint Bangladesh-China Working Group (WG) on economic cooperation and investment.

The meeting was held after a six-year hiatus.

Representatives from the Chinese Ministry of Commerce, the Chinese Embassy in Dhaka, and the Economic Relations Division (ERD) of Bangladesh were present at the meeting.

Presided over by ERD Additional Secretary Mirana Mahrukh, the WG discussed details on the prospects of investment and economic cooperation between Beijing and Dhaka.

The meeting was held ahead of the Bangladesh-China Joint Economic Commission (JEC) meeting which is expected to be held in Dhaka on June 1.

China is the largest trading partner of Bangladesh. In the last fiscal year (FY 2023-24), Bangladesh imported goods worth US$16.637 billion, 26.40 per cent of the country's total imports, showing higher demand for Chinese products in Bangladesh.

According to Bangladesh Bank data, China, including Hong Kong, has emerged as a significant investor in Bangladesh, with FDI reaching $2.789 billion as of December 2024, making it the country's second-largest investor.

Chinese enterprises are actively involved in various sectors such as textiles, energy, manufacturing, and infrastructure projects like the Padma Bridge and Karnaphuli Tunnel in Chattogram.

Many Chinese companies are also looking to diversify their production bases, particularly due to rising production costs and geopolitical tensions, making Bangladesh a potential destination for their "China Plus One" strategy.

Meanwhile, a leader of the Bangladesh-China Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCCI) said that while Bangladesh actively seeks to attract foreign direct investment (FDI), particularly from China, a number of persistent challenges in its business climate are making Chinese companies reluctant to fully commit to the investment.

https://thefinancialexpress.com.bd/economy/china-urges-bangladesh-to-improve-investment-climate

“We want the election to take place within December. The people of the country want elections… for which we have been protesting and struggling for the last 15 years,” he said while addressing the award ceremony of the Arafat Rahman Coco Memorial Cricket Tournament in London on Sunday (18 May) night local time

https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/politics/we-want-election-within-december-tarique-1146791

Https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/anu-muhammad-questions-interim-govt-sincerity-3898151

How many more Nails does the coffin require?

Noted economist and activist Anu Muhammad has hinted at foreign corporate influence on key figures of the interim government.

The economics professor, who also heads a civil society platform, said in a Facebook post last night that beginning with the chief adviser, his "formidable" press secretary and certain other officials appear to reflect a "shadow of foreign corporate lobbyists in their demeanor, speech, and actions."

Google News LinkFor all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.

His post goes on to explain that all this hustle and bustle, this air of secrecy and gimmicky tales regarding the Chattogram port, corridor access, munitions factory, hastily done opaque LNG import deal, Starlink agreement, etc. indicate exactly that.

"It seems the various reform commissions, their reports, meetings, and promises are nothing but a smokescreen to while away the time and keep the people distracted," said Anu Muhammad.

Otherwise, several crucial reforms could have already been under way by now. Their attention is not in pro-people reforms — it lies elsewhere, he says before concluding with, "This cannot go on."

Pressure is definitely building:

Zainul Abdin Farroque has urged Chief Adviser of the interim government Dr Muhammad Yunus to hold elections. Photo: Bangla Tribune

UNBUNB

Publish : 18 May 2025, 04:38 PMUpdate : 18 May 2025, 04:38 PM

BNP Chairperson’s Advisory Council member Zainul Abedin Farroque on Sunday warned of taking to the streets if a clear election roadmap is not announced soon.

Pointing to interim government chief Dr Muhammed Yunus, Farroque said the country’s people and the global community respect him.

He said the people of Bangladesh placed Prof Yunus in the government as their trusted figure, demonstrating their confidence in him.

He further said: “Out of respect for the people of the country, you must announce the election schedule right now.”

https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/politics/381572/bnp%E2%80%99s-farroque-demands-election-roadmap-warns-of

Pressure building

Has anything happened recently in Bangladesh that can strengthen our faith that we are moving towards democracy? Is there anything in the present governance process that reflects the people's views, save for those who are adept in the use of social media, possess extraordinary agility to mobilise, can gather quickly, assert their views powerfully, make threats to the government, give ultimatum and see the government wilting under threats? We repeat, we have successfully destroyed Hasina's power-monopolising and freedom-stifling regime. But what have we replaced it with?

Democracy does not seem to be our focus today. Because if it were, then shouldn't we have been talking about elections more? Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus keeps referring to the time frame of December 2025 to June 2026. He has been doing so from the beginning. If he prefers June '26, then he should clearly say so and move in that direction. The debate over the date should now be put to rest. It is harming the credibility of a person we trust and respect, especially because it is well-known that some of his cabinet members are far too enamoured with their present positions, so much so that they want to continue in power, for which they want the election postponed under the guise of reforms. If we look into their respective ministries, have we seen any reforms or even the slightest change in the methods of operation, or some suggestions in this regard to the cabinet?

https://www.thedailystar.net/opinion/views/the-third-view/news/what-are-we-building-after-dismantling-the-al-regime-3895461

The conflict and misunderstandings among the students who led the mass uprising and the anti-fascist political parties are increasingly disheartening for the nation, Amar Bangladesh (AB) Party Chairman Mojibur Rahman Monju said on Friday.

According to him, if political parties lose confidence in the interim government, the country will plunge into a grave crisis. Reforms, justice for genocide victims leading to free and fair elections will all become uncertain.

Monju made these remarks, as the chief guest, at a public meeting organised by the AB Party at Laldighi Maidan in Chattogram this afternoon.

The AB Party chairman noted that while the interim government began its journey with the support of all, a growing distance has emerged between the government and the students, masses, as well as political parties that led the uprising.

He further said two factions have formed regarding reforms and elections, leading to disputes over critical contributions during the Monsoon Uprising and a race to belittle each other.

“Instead of consolidating unity after defeating fascism, the government has made no effort to even maintain it. As a result, political parties are losing confidence in the government, giving rise to doubts and suspicions,” he added.

https://en.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/politics/n1i7grz6d2

Have a great weekend Boys & Girl (And the ones who are not sure)

Enjoy some Bank Holiday sunshine, which makes a refreshing change.