Staff Correspondent

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Sunday said he would feel guilty if a fair election cannot be arranged, stressing that they are now going through a war-like situation.

"I got the courage as we all sat together. I would feel guilty if we can't hold a fair election," Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam quoted the Chief Adviser as conveying to the political leaders during two separate meetings. 

Prof Yunus said all efforts are underway to destabilise the country after the ban imposed on the activities of Bangladesh Awami League, Alam said while briefing reporters in front of state guesthouse Jamuna on Sunday night. 

Chief Adviser's Deputy Press Secretaries Apurba Jahangir and Abul Kalam Azad Majumder were also present. 

After the meeting, Mahmudur Rahman Manna, president of Nagorik Oikya, said the Chief Adviser told them that the country is in a big crisis due to Indian hegemony. 

"For this, the Chief Adviser believes that the entire nation needs to remain united," Manna said.

"He (Prof Yunus) started the discussion by saying that we are in a very big crisis. He talked about the conspiracy of Indian hegemony while referring to this crisis. Indian hegemony does not want to accept this change (here) at all. If they can, they want to destroy us in one day, and they are doing whatever they need to do for that. These were his words," Manna said quoting the Chief Adviser.

Quoting the Chief Adviser, Press Secretary Alam also said Prof Yunus assured the political leaders that he would not allow anything that can harm the country’s interest until he is in this position.  

Highlighting the importance of political consensus, the Chief Adviser said they must come out from division. 

He said the political leaders extended full support to the Chief Adviser and assured him of standing beside him.

Responding to a question on election roadmap, Alam said the Chief Adviser reiterated that he will not go beyond June 30 next year. "You need to trust him."

Earlier, a group of political leaders, including Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) President Col (retd) Oli Ahmed and Mahmudur Rahman Manna met the Chief Adviser and discussed pressing national issues including the upcoming national election and political reforms.

The meeting was held at the state guesthouse Jamuna, the official residence of the Chief Adviser, where political leaders Mujahidul Islam Selim, Ganosamhati Andolan Chief Coordinator Zonayed Saki and AB party chief Mujibur Rahman Manju, among others, joined it. 

Three advisers, including, Industries Adviser Adilur Rahman Khan were also present.

In the second phase, Maulana Sadiqur Rahman, Maulana Rezaul Karim, Maulana Mamunul Haque, Maulana Ahmed Abdul Quader, Maulana Azizul Haque Islamabadi, Maulana Manjurul Islam Affendi, Nurul Haque Noor, Maulana Musa Bin Izhar and Mufti Maulana Shakhawat Hossain Razi held talks with the Chief Adviser.

On Saturday, BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami and National Citizen Party leaders met Prof Yunus separately.

Prof Yunus on Saturday reiterated his position on the next election, stressing that the government will not go beyond June next year.

"Prof Yunus is a man of his word. He gave a cut-off time. He won't go beyond that," Alam told the reporters, referring to the next national election that is likely to be held between December 2025 to June 2026.

Alam also said the Chief Adviser conveyed the same to BNP when its leaders met the Chief Adviser at his residence.

The Chief Adviser repeatedly mentioned this December to June 30 next year and stressed that the Chief Adviser keeps his words.

When pressed further, Alam said June 30 is a specific date, and the Chief Adviser will not go beyond that.

Alam said the political leaders expressed their confidence in his (CA) leadership and all the three meetings were held in a friendly environment on Saturday.

The interim government on Saturday said it will take the necessary decisions together with the people of the country if the government’s “autonomy, reform efforts, justice process, fair election plan, and normal operations” are obstructed to the point of making its duties unmanageable.

“If - under the instigation of defeated forces or as part of a foreign conspiracy - the performance of these responsibilities becomes impossible, the government will present all reasons to the public and then take the necessary steps with the people,” said the Council of Advisers in a statement after its unscheduled meeting.

Despite all obstacles, the Council of Advisers said, the interim government continues to fulfill its responsibilities by putting national interests above group interests.

“The interim government upholds the public expectations of the July Uprising,” said the Council of Advisers.