At a recent seminar, BNP leader Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury stated that numerous investors are interested in coming to Bangladesh, but they are waiting for a credible and fair election. “The key issue now is how quickly we can return to democracy,” he said.

Highlighting the importance of investment in national progress, Khasru emphasized that the capital market must be the primary source of future investments. “To ensure future investment, we must revive the capital market,” he asserted.

He criticized the current state of the stock market, saying, “It has become a casino where certain groups manipulate and exploit it before walking away. This has been happening for the past 15 years, and we need to break this cycle.”

GOP leader Rasheed Khan dismissed recent rumors about a possible political intervention similar to the 1/11 episode, calling them a deliberate attempt to mislead and intimidate the public. “One must question whether those who are loudly talking about 1/11 now are in fact hoping for its return,” he wrote. “Their circles are surrounded by the very same actors of that era — likely advising them to stir panic.” Rasheed expressed hope that Bangladesh will embark on a democratic path toward national reform under the leadership of Dr. Muhammad Yunus, and that a new chapter in the nation’s history will be written. He emphasized that political tolerance and national unity are crucial for realizing this vision.

Rafe Salman Rifat, a leader of the Youth for People’s Power (UP Bangladesh), stated on Facebook that the July uprising had no single figurehead. “Sadiq Kayem, Nahid, Mahfuz, and Zunaed — none led the others; there was no singular ‘imam’ of this movement. The sacrifice of the martyrs and the injured turned the student and public protests into a full-scale uprising,” he wrote. Rifat added, “This was also a direct consequence of the brutal repression by Hasina’s regime and the spontaneous unity of the people against it.” He warned that post-August 5 efforts to impose a singular leadership narrative only sowed division and mistrust. Rifat further noted that Dr. Muhammad Yunus has viewed the movement through the lens of a few select individuals, while remaining unaware of the broader collective leadership including Sadiq Kayem, Hasnat Abdullah, Ali Ahsan Zunaed, Sibghatullah, and student leaders like Rakib and Nasir. Had this collective leadership been acknowledged earlier, the current coordination crisis among movement leaders might have been avoided.

NCP Convener Nahid Islam clarified that the two student advisers currently in the interim government have no affiliation with the NCP. “They joined as representatives of the public uprising, not as NCP members,” he said. NCP Member Secretary Akhtar Hossain added, “We’re beginning to see signs of a repeat of the January 11 era. The public’s expectations of reform, justice, and fair elections are fading amid rising confusion.” He emphasized that the government must consult political parties before making key decisions.

Supreme Court lawyer Md. Jasim Uddin has issued a legal notice to NCP leader Sarjis Alam for making derogatory remarks about the High Court. The notice demands a written and public apology, including a press conference. In a Facebook post, Alam had said, “If High Court rulings can be obtained by mob pressure, then what’s the point of having a High Court?”

Jamaat-e-Islami chief Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has said, “The Chief Adviser has expressed his intention to hold national elections between December of this year and June of the next. We want to place our trust in his words.” He added that they are not trying to pressure the Chief Adviser, as he is supported by all political parties and must be assisted by all sides. “We urge him to convene an all-party dialogue to avoid further national uncertainty,” he said.

Mufti Rezaul Karim, Amir of Islami Andolan Bangladesh, said that the nation has been crushed under a brutal dictatorship for the past 15 years, a direct result of 54 years of political instability. He described the July 2024 uprising as a blood-stained turning point that offers a historic opportunity to rebuild the country. Mufti Karim urged all stakeholders to act responsibly and not squander this chance for reform. He called on political parties to move beyond their own demands and abandon the confrontational culture of pressuring governments, instead working collaboratively for the nation’s future.

BNP leader Aminul Haque criticized elements within the current advisory government, claiming that some individuals have become intoxicated with power. He blamed this for the political disorder witnessed in recent months. Aminul recalled BNP’s 17-year struggle against dictatorship, stating that it was not for the kind of disarray now unfolding. He warned against conspiracies targeting Bangladesh’s democracy and said the people are ready to resist them. He accused certain advisers of delaying elections under the guise of reform and justice. Haque reiterated that true democracy can only be achieved by implementing the BNP’s 31-point agenda.

Musaddiq Ali Ibn Mohammad, leader of the July Unity bloc, accused India of attempting to divide the nation following the July uprising. He said that although Sheikh Hasina fled, her loyalists still hold key positions in the country. Frustrated by these developments, Chief Adviser Dr. Yunus had considered resigning. Musaddiq announced a protest rally at Shahbagh on Sunday, May 25, to resist alleged Indian conspiracies and revive the unity forged during the July uprising. A nationwide campaign will continue until May 30, and he warned that if the “July Declaration” is not issued within 30 working days, the advisory council and political parties will be held accountable.

Jamaat-e-Islami leader Dr. Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher urged the government to announce the election roadmap within the December–June timeframe as previously promised. He stressed that a free and fair election is the only viable solution to the nation’s current crisis. Dr. Taher noted the recent political tensions and claimed that dialogues with stakeholders have helped reduce the heat. He emphasized the need to maintain the interim government and conduct a credible election under Dr. Yunus’s leadership. He warned that Jamaat will make no compromises on the demand for fair elections and that all efforts should now be directed toward restoring public confidence and countering misinformation.

Mufti Syed Muhammad Faizul Karim of the Islami Andolan said that rumors of Dr. Yunus’s resignation have surfaced, but he reminded the Chief Adviser that it was not his choice to assume the role—it was the will of the people. Therefore, Yunus has no right to resign without public mandate. Faizul Karim asserted that Yunus was appointed to deliver peace, justice, and fair elections, and that his staying or leaving is a matter of national interest. He cautioned against any decision that would appear to appease Indian interests, urging Dr. Yunus to remain committed to national reform.

Rashed Khan, Secretary General of the GOP, dismissed rumors about Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus’s resignation. He clarified that Dr. Yunus had simply warned NCP leaders to be restrained, or he would reconsider his position. Rashed alleged that this warning was twisted into resignation rumors to divert attention from public demands for NCP leaders to step down. He also criticized some NCP figures for trying to reform the Awami League rather than seeking justice for state atrocities. Rashed stressed that the GOP stands firmly against Yunus’s resignation and would not allow him to step down before completing his term, although he did call for a restructuring of Yunus’s advisory team.

At a public rally, Nurul Haque Nur, President of Gono Odhikar Parishad (GOP), said that the right to vote has yet to be truly established in Bangladesh and that state power continues to serve the interests of specific groups. He emphasized the need for systemic reform through new-generation politics. Nur asserted that his party believes the core aim of politics must be the protection of fundamental rights, social justice, and the elimination of economic disparity. He called for a structural overhaul of the state and demanded the formation of an interim neutral government to ensure free and fair elections, highlighting the collapse of the current electoral framework.

BNP leader Nazrul Islam Khan stated that the BNP believes in production and development, not in shutting things down. He affirmed that if the BNP forms the government, it will work to reopen the 25 jute mills that have been closed and pay off all outstanding wages owed to the workers. He remarked that although there has been development in the country, it hasn’t been inclusive; and democracy, too, hasn’t been for all. He noted that over the past 15 years, the foundations of the nation have been systematically dismantled, prompting the BNP to announce a 31-point reform agenda. Khan urged the public to judge political parties based on their history and claimed that for true progress, the people would ultimately choose the BNP. In the same event, BOBY Hajjaj stated that Tarique Rahman’s 31-point reform plan represents a vision for future politics. He criticized the NCP for obstructing progress despite lacking even party registration, yet still challenging the Election Commission.

BNP leader Hafiz Uddin Ahmed said that political leaders in Bangladesh tend to become autocratic once in power, likening them to the mythical Ravana. He lamented that despite the sacrifices made during the 1971 Liberation War and the 2024 mass uprising, the current regime shows no concern for democracy. Hafiz noted that all parties had backed Dr. Yunus to form an interim government, hoping for quick elections and democratic restoration. Instead, he said, those with no history of sacrifice are now trying to decide the nation’s future.