‘Polls by Dec, not CA’s resignation’

BNP does not want Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus to resign, but if he does not wish to remain in office, the people will choose an alternative, said BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed yesterday.

He said BNP's demand is a national election by December, not Prof Yunus's resignation.

"We demand that, realising the aspiration of the people and the importance of the issue, he should present a specific electoral roadmap to the nation by December. That is our demand, not his resignation," he said.

"No one is indispensable. We want the honourable chief adviser to stay. We did not want his resignation and still do not want that," he said.

"If he [chief adviser] still thinks he is incapable of carrying out his duty, or he quits his duty being emotional, then the state or nation cannot afford to sit and watch. The state has to find an alternative. There is no place for emotions here," said Salahuddin to the media.

"And if we have made any unreasonable demands, let him say so," he added.

The BNP leader said if the chief adviser wants to resign now instead of announcing a specific electoral roadmap, "that is his personal matter."

Salahuddin, however, said they want the resignation of the national security adviser.

"We also demanded the resignation of two student representatives on the advisory council. Since their various activities are undermining the government's neutrality, we have called for their resignation," he added.

The BNP leader said the chief adviser once assured party leaders that the government was working to hold elections by December this year.

"But later, we observed various statements from his different advisers ... they either want to delay the elections or they don't [want to hold elections]. Some of their advisers have stated that they have already been elected by the people through a mass uprising, and they supposedly have authority over everything."

"The BNP does not think like that," he said, adding that the duty of advisers in an interim government is to conduct a fair, orderly, and impartial election.

Meanwhile, BNP leader Zainul Abedin Farroque yesterday also urged the chief adviser to immediately ask three members of his advisory council to resign.

The BNP demands the removal of Information Adviser Mahfuj Alam, Local Government Adviser Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan, and National Security Adviser Khalilur Rahman, arguing that this step is necessary to uphold the government's impartiality and image.

"Request them to step down on their own. You must drop the three," Farroque said while speaking at a protest rally in front of the Jatiya Press Club.

Farroque said it would be unfortunate if Yunus had to leave without holding an election.

"Let your [Yunus's] name be carved in golden letters in history by conducting a credible election and ensuring our right to vote."