Once again, this time during a meeting with leaders of 14 political parties, Chief Adviser Muhamman Yunus urged for unity – the trait necessary to defeat what he said was the re-emergence of fascist forces.
It was the same message he had given late night on Tuesday, following a sudden meeting he called at the State Guesthouse Jamuna which was attended by the BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, NCP and Islami Andolon Bangladesh.
On Sunday, however, the meeting came with another important revelation: the polls date would be announced within 4-5 days.
Speaking to the media after the meeting, Chairman of the Jatiya Party (Kazi Zafar faction) Mostafa Jamal Haider said the CA was expected to announce a specific date for the upcoming national election within the next four to five days.
"I'm pleased to share that the chief adviser has categorically said he will announce an exact date for the election within four to five days," Haider told reporters.
Did Yunus say the same in earlier meetings?
Following a meeting on Wednesday – which came on the heels of the protests at the Secretariat and advisers being confined in Milestone College for around nine hours – Law Adviser Prof Asif Nazrul had told reporters that the four parties urged the government to take a stronger stance in upholding law and order.
But another issue of importance was the need for polls.
While BNP did not speak to the press immediately after, others said it had been discussed at the meeting that elections would help the country get out of the current situation.
Messages of unity were also disseminated immediately after the meeting.
"If the parties stand together and the public sees this, it would create a sense of reassurance among the people," Law Adviser Prof Asif Nazrul quoted Yunus as saying at that meeting.
He also said: "The BNP specifically emphasised that we [government] should move forward in an orderly manner regarding the electoral process."
The interim government has long urged unity among political parties while reforms are carried out for the well-being of ailing national institutions and governing bodies.
While the parties agree, it is evident that calls for announcing polls date have only grown louder, especially amid the backdrop of recent rounds of violence and protests.
Political parties have been insistent that a concrete schedule for the national elections be provided.
After the Awami League government was ousted on August 5 last year, the BNP remained resolute in its demand that the national elections be held by the end of 2025.
Since the turn of the year, demands from various political parties for a roadmap to the elections, have only grown louder.
Yet, patience may be for the greater good, as the chief adviser pointed out yesterday.
"If all the forces of the uprising cannot hold a good election together, this great opportunity will be lost to us."
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