Staff Correspondent

 The roadmaps addressing justice, reform, and the national election should be announced simultaneously, said National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam today (24 May).

"Our expectation from the interim government is a peaceful transfer of power through justice, reform, and fair elections. It is the responsibility of this interim government not just to organise elections, but also to bring about justice and fundamental reforms," he said while addressing a press conference at the NCP office in Dhaka's Banglamotor.

"We urge Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus to remain in charge and move towards resolving problems through political discussions with all parties," he said. "We also think the July Charter should be announced within the stipulated time," he added.

Nahid stressed the importance of presenting the full roadmap at once.

"The roadmap for justice, reform, and elections – all three – should be announced together. This will create a sense of relief among the public and political parties. A space for trust will be created," he said.

He added, "Alongside this, the people and political parties must act responsibly. For Bangladesh's current situation, national security, and a future democratic Bangladesh, we will act responsibly and resolve everything through discussion."

The NCP convener said the party has no relation with the two advisers of the interim government, Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan and Mahfuj Alam, two of the student leaders who spearheaded last year's mass uprising. 

"If they want to engage in politics and elections, they cannot do so while remaining in the government. In that case, they will have to leave the government and make their own decisions," he said. 

"The two student advisers had joined the government as representatives of the July mass uprising. I was also with them. If they want to engage in politics or participate in elections, they cannot do so while remaining in the government," Nahid further clarified. 

He said, "Despite having no relationship with the two advisers, attempts are being made to associate them with NCP through propaganda and to demean them. We say this is very intentional."

Nahid said the decision to leave the government is entirely up to them. 

"We expect that all advisors, including the student advisers, will work together to implement the aspirations and legitimacy of the mass uprising. We condemn and protest the propaganda by associating the two student advisers with NCP," added the NCP convener.

At this time, NCP Member Secretary Akhtar Hossain, Senior Joint Convener Samanta Sharmin, Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patwari, Chief Organiser (Southern Region) Hasnat Abdullah, and others were present.