The BNP has expressed disappointment with the senior advisor’s latest national address, saying it lacked an outline of a roadmap to the elections.

The party believes that parliamentary elections should be held soon as the interim government does not have a mandate from the people to govern.

Some BNP leaders have expressed concern that the government may be trying to expand its power under the guise of reforms, citing potential complications or an evil plan.

In his national address on Sunday, Chief Advisor Professor Muhammad Yunus appealed to the people for patience and assured that a road map for the elections would be unveiled once electoral reforms are implemented.

Speaking at a program at the Jatiya Press Club, BNP General Secretary Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir yesterday expressed his displeasure over the CA’s national discourse.

“Our chief advisor addressed the nation yesterday (Sunday) to mark 100 days of his government… I am somewhat disappointed… we had hoped that with all his wisdom, the chief advisor would identify the problems and chart a road map for the elections,” he said during a discussion marking the 48th birth anniversary of Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhasani.

“Why am I talking about the elections again and again? It’s because half of our problems would be solved once the elections are held, whether the BNP comes to power or not.”

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

“That is why we believe that holding elections soon would be beneficial for the country and its people. The longer this type of government stays in power, the more problems will arise. Because it does not have the mandate (to to govern). Where does his strength come from?

Fakhrul said his party wanted the caretaker government to implement reforms within a reasonable time frame.

“The caretaker government should not take so long to undertake reforms, lest it create a misconception in people’s minds about its desire to cling to power. We have had such experiences in the past. “

He said the then interim government tried in 2007 to form a so-called King’s Party, but to no avail. “People rejected this decision and they (senior government officials) quickly fled the country.”

The BNP leader said his party had not blocked any recent government reform initiatives.

“If an electoral roadmap were announced, those who try to harm and destabilize the country would retreat while the population would rally behind the government. We must take this into account.”

Speaking at another program at the Jatiya Press Club, BNP Deputy General Secretary Ruhul Kabir Rizvi yesterday said the incumbent government may try to prolong its rule by invoking reforms.

“There seems to be a complication somewhere; why is (the chief advisor) talking about a long period of time? There seems to be a problem within the government, and that worries us.

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

Rizvi said the senior advisor’s remarks during an interview with an international media outlet on the need for four years to complete the reforms was a matter of concern.

Virtually addressing the same event as the chief guest, BNP Acting President Tarique Rahman appealed to the people to extend a helping hand to those affected by the July uprising.

Speaking at the wheelchair distribution programme, he said that if the BNP succeeds in forming a government with a popular mandate, different institutions and establishments will be named after the martyrs of the uprising.

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

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