Fakhrul disappointed with Yunus’ speech marking 100 days in power

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir today expressed disappointment over Chief Adviser Professor Mohammad Yunus’ speech making 100 days of interim government.
“While the speech, a well-drafted one, has risen hopes of the people. I am a bit disappointed… We had hoped the chief adviser, with all his wisdom, would identify the pressing problems and propose a roadmap for elections,” said Fakhrul at a discussion at Jatiya Press Club.
Clarifying his intention on stressing the need for an election, Fakhrul said, “I emphasise elections because holding them would address half of our problems.”
Stressing BNP’s stance over its support to the interim government, Fakhrul mentioned that his party has not opposed or obstructed any of the recent reform initiatives by them.
“We are supporting you at every step,” he said.
In a televised address to the nation, marking 100 days of the interim government, Yunus said that the reforms may delay the election by a few months.
Additionally, Fakhrul Islam Alamgir highlighted the importance of maintaining strong ties between BNP leaders and students.
“No gap should ever emerge between us and the students. Students have the right to voice their opinions. We have grown older. We are more calculative now. We evaluate which actions can be taken and which cannot, what is appropriate to do now and what is not,” he said.
“That’s why we believe holding elections quickly is essential for the well-being of the country and its people. This comes from our own experience.”
He added, “This government lacks a mandate. The longer they stay in power, the more problems will arise.”
“This is not an elected government, so where does its strength come from?”
Fakhrul said that his party supports implementing reforms within a reasonable and appropriate timeframe.
“It should not take so long that people start to suspect you are trying to cling to power. We have had such experiences in the past,” he added.
Referencing the tenure of the Moinuddin-led caretaker government, he said, “Their attempts to form a so-called King’s Party failed as the people rejected it, forcing them to flee the country.”