Staff Correspondent

BNP senior leader Professor AZM Zahid Hossain on Wednesday alleged that the statement made by the Chief Adviser's Press Secretary regarding the national election has created "confusion in people's minds.

“Which statement from the interim government should we believe? The Chief Advisor mentioned that the election could be held in late December 2025 or early 2026,” he told a protest rally in front of the Jatiya Press Club.

However, the following day, the BNP leader said, the Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary mentioned that the election could be held by June 2026.

“Who gave him (press secretary) this authority? We all together and the country’s people made him (Yunus) the chief adviser as he is a respected person in the country,” he said.

Zahid, a BNP standing committee member, questioned how the Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary can make such commitments on a crucial matter.

“Mr Press Secretary, you work in a government position and receive a salary from the government. Where did you get the authority to even overrule your Chief Adviser?” he said.

The BNP leader urged the interim government to clarify its position and ensure consistency in its statements.

He said the interim government should decide for themselves who will say what, and say it responsibly. “If they make contradictory comments, it will only cause confusion among the people.”

Zahid said the BNP wants the interim government to succeed but urged them to act responsibly. “We call upon you to always refrain from any statements that mislead people."

The 12-party alliance organised the protest rally to condemn Indian government and media propaganda aimed at disrupting communal harmony in Bangladesh.

Earlier, on Monday, Chief Adviser Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus indicated that the 13th National Parliamentary Election might be scheduled for the end of 2025 or the first half of 2026.

His Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam on Tuesday said that it can be expected that the next general election will be held in the country by 30 June 2026.

“He (CA) has mentioned a time. What could be a clearer roadmap than this? You can expect the election to be held by 30 June 2026. This is a clear roadmap,” he said while briefing reporters over the current issues at the Foreign Service Academy.