The BNP expressed disappointment in the absence of a draft poll roadmap in the chief counsel’s last national speech.

The party believes that parliamentary elections should be held as soon as possible because the interim government does not have the authority to rule by the people.

Some BNP leaders have expressed concerns that the government may try to expand its rule under the guise of reforms, citing potential complications or any evil planning.

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus appealed for patience from the public in his national address on Sunday and assured that a roadmap for the elections will be announced once the electoral reforms are carried out.

Speaking at a program at Jatiya Press Club yesterday, BNP General Secretary Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir expressed his dissatisfaction with CA’s national speech.

“Our chief adviser addressed the nation yesterday (Sunday) to celebrate 100 days of his government… I was a little disappointed… We were hoping that the chief adviser, in all his wisdom, would identify the problems and outline an election road map.” he said in a discussion on the occasion of the 48th birth anniversary of Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhasani.

“Why do I repeatedly talk about elections? Because whether the BNP comes to power or not, half of our problems will be solved after the polls are held.”

Fakhrul said there should be no distance between BNP and students. “Students have the right to voice their opinions. We are getting older. We are now evaluating which actions are feasible and which are not.

“For this reason, we think that holding elections as soon as possible will be good for the country and the people. As long as this type of government remains in power, problems will increase. Because it has no authority to govern. So where does its power come from? Where did you come from?”

Fakhrul said his party wants the interim government to implement reforms within a reasonable time.

“The interim government should not take reforms for so long, so that there are no misperceptions about the people’s desire to hold on to power. We have had similar experiences in the past.”

He said that in 2007, the interim government tried to establish the so-called King Party, but this was in vain. “People rejected this move and they (the government’s top brass) soon fled the country.”

The BNP leader said his party did not block the government’s recent reform initiatives.

“If the election road map is announced, those who want to harm the country and disrupt stability will step back and the people will rally behind the government. We need to take this into consideration.”

Speaking at another program at Jatiya Press Club yesterday, BNP Senior Joint General Secretary Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said the incumbent government may try to extend its rules citing reforms.

“There seems to be some confusion somewhere; why is he talking about such a long period of time? There seems to be a problem within the government and that has caused us concern.

“People want to know why four years will be needed for reforms and elections,” he said.

Rizvi said that the chief advisor’s statements in an interview with an international media outlet that it would take four years to implement reforms were worrying.

Speaking virtually as the chief guest at the same event, BNP deputy chairman Tarique Rahman appealed to the public to extend their hands to those affected by the July uprising.

Speaking at the wheelchair distribution program, he said that if the BNP forms a government with the instruction of the people, the names of the martyrs of the uprising will be given to different institutions and organizations.

“I urge everyone to come forward to help those affected by the mass uprising,” he said.

Amra BNP Poribar organized an event to distribute wheelchairs to 10 people who were injured during the uprising that toppled Sheikh Hasina’s government.