A seven-member BNP delegation led by party secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir is holding a meeting with Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus to press for a specific roadmap to hold the national election by December this year.
The meeting began at the state guest house Jamuna at 12:10pm, said BNP media cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan.
The delegation also included BNP Standing Committee members Jamiruddin Sircar, Mirza Abbas, Nazrul Islam Khan,Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdury, Salahuddin Ahmed and Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Chowdury.
Earlier, on Tuesday night, BNP standing committee members, led by Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, met to discuss the party's stance on the election and potential talking points for the meeting.
Talking to UNB, BNP senior leaders said they will deliver a ‘strong message’ that they will not accept any attempt to delay the national election beyond December this year.
The party will also urge the Chief Adviser to issue a clear statement regarding the election timeline, urging an end to the ongoing December-June uncertainty.
Fakhrul hopes election uncertainty to be resolved through dialogue, unity
They said their party will provide reasons and logical justifications for their demand to hold the national election within this year, particularly by December.
BNP leaders said their party will also call upon the head of the interim government to take necessary steps to complete the reform process by the coming June in order to dispel public concerns over a possible attempt to delay the election under the pretext of state restructuring.
They said if their demand is met and a clear commitment is given, the party will shift its focus to election preparations and devising strategies to win over voters.
If no consensus is reached during the meeting, BNP leaders indicated that they would launch a movement demanding the restoration of democracy and holding the national election within this year.
Party insiders said the BNP has outlined a series of peaceful programmes over the next three months as part of its organisational preparations for the 13th national election, expected in December.
These programmes may include rallies, marches and processions, beginning at the grassroots level and expanding nationwide with large public gatherings.
BNP’s Salahuddin questions Dr Yunus’ motive behind vague election timelines
The plan was initially worked out in a recent meeting of the party's organisational secretaries and has been informally communicated to the top leadership. If BNP does not receive a clear message on the election timeline in the meeting with the Chief Adviser, the party may begin implementing these programmes by the end of this month.