BNP Standing Committee Member Salahuddin Ahmed has cautioned that political groups rejecting participation in the upcoming general election risk being sidelined from the country’s political landscape.

Speaking to reporters at his residence in Gulshan, Salahuddin said political debates must be settled through the ballot, not by avoiding it. “Those who speak against elections will ultimately be erased from politics,” he remarked.

Addressing questions on possible alliances, the senior BNP leader noted that the party could work with groups that had previously joined hands in movements against the Awami League government.

However, he firmly ruled out any electoral partnership with Jamaat-e-Islami before the polls, while adding that discussions were ongoing with several smaller pro-Islamic parties.

Salahuddin dismissed concerns about instability surrounding the next election, scheduled for February, calling such fears “political tactics” aimed at creating confusion.

He described the polls as a “significant and historic event” for Bangladesh and insisted that opposition to it would only harm those refusing to take part.
On the question of political and constitutional reforms, Salahuddin said some proposals made in the July Charter appeared unrealistic.
Even so, he confirmed BNP’s readiness to engage in discussions with alternative recommendations, stressing that reforms must be rooted in national consensus and undertaken after the parliamentary polls. “Nothing can stand above the Constitution,” he added.

Regarding the interim government issue, Salahuddin said the current administration had been formed through consensus and the upcoming election would proceed under its supervision.
He suggested that the caretaker system, once restored, could apply in future polls but not in the upcoming vote.
The BNP leader concluded that alliances with parties involved in past anti-government movements would become clearer after further dialogue, but reiterated that refusing to contest elections would leave parties “falling behind in the course of politics.”