Jatiya Nagorik Party (NCP) South Region Chief Coordinator Hasnat Abdullah has said that no national election can take place without implementing key reforms, asserting that the polls will only be held in February if reforms are completed in time.
He made the remarks on Sunday while addressing a press conference at Bhola District Council Auditorium following a coordination meeting with party leaders and activists from seven upazilas. The meeting, which began in the morning and continued until 2 pm, discussed both organizational and local development issues.

“Just as this press conference wouldn’t have been possible without the coordination meeting, elections too cannot happen without reforms,” Abdullah told reporters. “If this government doesn’t have the mandate for reforms or for declaring the July Charter, then on what mandate will it hold elections? Elections should indeed be held in February, but those who oppose reforms are the ones trying to delay them.”

He added that the current government holds the mandate for both elections and reforms, stressing that if reforms are implemented as planned, polls will be possible in February.

Responding to questions from journalists, Abdullah clarified that NCP wants proportional representation (PR) in the upper house, “but not in the way Jamaat-e-Islami wants it.”

He emphasized unity in politics, saying, “There is no alternative to united politics for rebuilding Bangladesh. BNP’s grassroots have shed blood in the fight against fascism. To dishonor their sacrifice would be a betrayal of the people.”

During the coordination meeting, local issues such as river erosion prevention, industrial development using Bhola’s gas resources, construction of the Bhola-Barishal Bridge, shortage of doctors, and establishing a medical college were discussed. Abdullah said the NCP would stand by the people of Bhola in pursuing these legitimate demands.

When asked about potential alliances for the next election, Abdullah said, “We will form alliances only with parties that support reforms. Those who fought against fascism are our true allies.”

Commenting on the upcoming referendum and the July Charter, he stated that the order must be issued by Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, not President Md Shahabuddin. “Those who want to take certification from the symbol of fascism, Chuppur (President Shahabuddin), want to derail the country. The revolution’s legitimacy comes from the people, and the Chief Adviser must issue the order,” he said.

Later in the day, at a coordination meeting of the NCP’s Barishal district and city units held at Barishal Shilpakala Academy, Abdullah reiterated his stance, saying, “Both the referendum and the July Charter order must be issued by Chief Adviser. If President Shahabuddin issues it, the July Revolution will be questioned.”

He further asserted, “No ordinance or gazette — it has to be a formal order, and that order must come from the Chief Adviser. The same mandate that formed this interim government empowers the Chief Adviser to issue such an order.”

On contesting the next national election, Abdullah said, “We are preparing policies to ensure NCP’s strong organizational presence in all 300 constituencies. Our expansion strategy will be based on that principle.”