Nasiruddin Patwary, Chief Coordinator of the National Citizen Party (NCP), urged the government on Thursday to hold the next national elections by February to save Bangladesh from what he termed a "civil war-like situation."
Patwary warned that if elections are not announced by February, the government will be responsible for any resulting "civil war-like situation."
He demanded that the draft recommendations of the Consensus Commission be made public, stating that the NCP would sign the Charter once the draft is disclosed.
Patwary referred to Nobel Laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus as having the "ball in his court" but suggested that the actions of the Law Adviser risk sabotaging the process.
The NCP chief dismissed the ongoing debate between the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami over the timing of the referendum (before or concurrent with the election) as a "futile argument."
He warned the BNP that if it remains rigidly tied to a "No" vote (referring to the party's origins via a "Yes" vote), it risks its own political end.
He accused both the BNP and Jamaat of creating uncertainty and urged them to cooperate with the Election Commission.
Patwary stressed that Bangladesh cannot be guided into the future amid uncertainty and confusion.
