Staff Correspondent

Expressing concern over the Chief Adviser's remarks that the tenure of the interim administration could be less than four years, BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Monday questioned whether the government might have a ‘master plan’ to prolong its power.

"The head of the interim government gave an interview to the international media yesterday (Sunday). His statement has raised doubts in our minds. He said, 'It’ll take four years to reform,' but why?" the BNP leader said while speaking at a wheelchair distribution programme.

He said politicians had led state reforms and constitutional changes for ages, and they would continue to carry out the necessary reforms.

The BNP leader opined that the civil society, noted citizens, and the current interim government can offer some suggestions about reforms.

“But why will it take four years to implement the reforms? We’ve long been fighting for free and fair elections and freedom of speech. Children who are 20-22 years old still cannot cast their votes. They don’t even know how to vote. How long will they have to wait to vote?” Rizvi said.

Amra BNP Poribar organised the programme at the Jatiya Press Club to distribute wheelchairs to 10 individuals who were injured during the recent student movement against Sheikh Hasina’s autocratic regime

Meanwhile, Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus has said that the tenure of the interim government will be less than four years, and their intention is to hold the election as quickly as possible.

"I didn't say that I will be (in power) for four years. This is the maximum term. But that's not our intention. Our intention is to get it (hold polls) done as quickly as possible," he said while responding to a question during an interview with Qatar-based media Al Jazeera.

Prof Yunus said the exact timeframe for the interim government's tenure has not been determined yet. "It should be under four years, that's for sure. It may be less," he said.

Rizvi said the interim government is supposed to be a symbol and model of democracy, but instead, they appear to be attempting to prolong their power. “This prolongation seems to indicate a complication somewhere. If not, why is he (Yunus) talking about such a long period? It shouldn’t take this long time.”

He expressed concerns that there may be any problem within the government. “It makes us wonder if anyone is crafting a master plan within this government.”

The BNP leader said they have long been advocating for the election to be held as soon as possible. “But now we’re worried about why he (the Chief Adviser) is talking about four-year tenure. The people of this country want to know what the government’s true intentions are.”

Rizvi said the current interim government was formed with the support of BNP and other parties that led movements to oust Sheikh Hasina’s regime. “We continue to support this government.”