DHAKA, June 29 (V7N) – BNP senior leader Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury on Sunday expressed confidence that the upcoming national election will indeed take place in February next year, dismissing any speculation of uncertainty surrounding the timeline.

"I don't see any sign that the election won't be held in February. There's no need to question it unnecessarily. I see the election is going to be held in February," he stated during a press briefing at the BNP Chairperson’s office in Gulshan. His remarks came in response to a journalist’s question regarding demands made by various Islamic parties, including Islami Andolon Bangladesh, at a rally on Saturday, where they called for local government elections to precede the general election and the implementation of a proportional representation (PR) electoral system. The BNP has consistently opposed these demands, viewing them as tactics to delay or derail the national polls.

Khosru, a BNP Standing Committee member, affirmed that preparations for the election are already well underway across the country. "People across the country are preparing for the February election. The Election Commission is also making preparations. Everything is on track. So, there's no point in unnecessarily questioning something that hasn't happened yet, or trying to disrupt the upcoming election for no reason," he observed. He acknowledged that differences of opinion among political parties are normal and that everyone has the right to express diverse views.

The press briefing followed a meeting between Canadian High Commissioner Ajit Singh and BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, though details of their discussion were not disclosed in the immediate press conference.

Addressing the alarming rise in rape incidents across the country, Khosru emphasized that these are not isolated events and many cases go unreported. He urged the government to enhance its capabilities and vigilance to effectively address the issue. He strongly condemned any attempts to politicize such sensitive incidents for narrow electoral gain, asserting that those involved in such acts for future electoral advantage "will, unfortunately, not succeed." Khosru also alleged that the person involved in a recent incident in Cumilla had links with Awami League politics, a claim he said has been reported on social media and in several newspapers.

Regarding Bangladesh's relationship with India, Khosru stressed the importance of maintaining good ties between neighboring countries. However, he underscored that such a relationship must be founded on key principles of mutual respect, protection of each other’s interests, and non-interference in internal affairs. "When these matters are ensured, I believe it will be much easier to advance our relationship," he concluded.

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