Yunus urges unity among political parties to prevent internal, external conflict

His press aide says the election schedule will be announced when the time is right

Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus has said the ban on Awami League activities has triggered a “war-like situation” within the country and with outside forces, and preventing internal divisions is key to resolving the impending crisis.

During his meeting with political parties at his official residence on Sunday, Yunus said: “We must save ourselves from this. We must free ourselves from division.”

In a bid to mitigate the ongoing political discord, Yunus met with 20 political parties in two phases on Sunday and held discussions at the State Guest House Jamuna.

After the meeting, chief advisor’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam reiterated Yunus’s resolve on the election timeline.

“I’ve said this [on Saturday] and I’m repeating it [Sunday] -- he (Yunus) is a man of his word. He repeatedly said that the election would be held between December this year and June next year. The timeline will not stretch even to the 1st of July.”

On the formulation of an election roadmap, he said: “When the time comes, [Yunus] will announce a roadmap or schedule.”

Shafiqul said the chief advisor told the party leaders that he would “feel guilty” if he failed to hold a proper election.

He said, "[Yunus] said, ‘We are in a [war-like situation]. After the Awami League's activities were banned, every effort is being made to create instability. They [Awami League] are not able to accept anything.

“There has to be consensus. As a nation with self-respect, with how much we have recovered, let’s move forward. Everyone is together—I am feeling brave. I will feel guilty if I cannot hold a fair election.”

Shafiqul said the interim prime minister spoke about using this “great opportunity” to pull the country up from the ashes of the July Uprising.

“The leaders of the parties have supported him. They have given full support to the reforms, the progressing judicial process and the ongoing work for the elections.

He said the party leaders said they would stay by Yunus and the interim government “That was the main message.”