Within just two days, three major political forces — Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), National Citizen Party (NCP), and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami — separately met Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, each putting forward their concerns over the neutrality of the interim government and the role of certain advisers.
The meetings, held between October 21 and 22 at the Chief Adviser’s office, highlighted how sharply divided the country’s leading blocs remain over what a “neutral government” should look like ahead of the national election.
BNP: Calls for a caretaker-like structure
On October 21, a BNP delegation led by Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir met the Chief Adviser.
The party demanded a stronger, caretaker-style administration to ensure neutrality across all state institutions.
Key points from BNP’s discussion:
- Urged the Chief Adviser to personally oversee all administrative appointments and transfers.
- Demanded removal of “party-linked” advisers allegedly aligned with the previous regime.
- Stressed the need for complete bureaucratic neutrality in the run-up to the polls.
- Emphasized that the interim setup must act “like a caretaker government” to gain public trust.
Mirza Fakhrul told reporters afterward, “We expect the Chief Adviser to act decisively and ensure an election under a fully neutral administration.”
Dr. Yunus, sources said, assured that all future appointments and transfers would be reviewed under his direct supervision.
NCP: Rejects caretaker idea, warns against party capture
The next day, National Citizen Party (NCP) leaders led by Convener Nahid Islam held their meeting with Dr. Yunus.
The party pushed back against BNP’s proposal for a caretaker-like setup, calling it “a regressive idea.”
Key points from NCP’s meeting:
- Questioned BNP’s definition of a “caretaker” government and asked which advisers they were labeling as partisan.
- Argued that the interim administration is “a product of the people’s uprising, not a political negotiation.”
- Warned that attempts to divide the administration by party interest could undermine the revolution’s spirit.
- Alleged that certain groups were lobbying for control over DCs and SPs in the field administration.
- Urged the Chief Adviser not to remove or reappoint advisers based on partisan pressure.
- Reiterated demands for judicial accountability, EC reform, and full implementation of the July Charter.
One NCP leader told Gonotaar, “We won’t let this interim setup turn into a caretaker compromise driven by party deals.”
Jamaat: Accuses advisers of BNP bias
Later on the same day, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami delegation led by Secretary General Abdullah Muhammad Taher also met the Chief Adviser.
The party echoed the neutrality concern — but turned it toward BNP.
Key points from Jamaat’s discussion:
- Claimed that several advisers in the Yunus government are directly influenced by BNP figures.
- Alleged that 70–80% of the current administration and law enforcement remain BNP-leaning.
- Warned the Chief Adviser that “some advisers are misleading him politically.”
- Said they would submit a list of allegedly partisan officials for review.
Jamaat leaders stopped short of demanding adviser removals but cautioned that the issue could escalate if not addressed.
Neutrality now the central fault line
While all three parties stressed the need for neutrality, each defined it differently:
- BNP wants the interim government to act like a caretaker.
- NCP insists it must retain its revolutionary legitimacy.
- Jamaat suspects BNP infiltration within the adviser circle.
Political analysts say these meetings expose growing mistrust among post-uprising blocs and underline the challenge Dr. Yunus faces in maintaining credibility ahead of the election.
