Mahmudur Rahman Manna urges government to step down quickly after holding elections

Mahmudur Rahman Manna, the president of Nagorik Oikko, has called on the interim government led by Dr. Yunus to hold elections without delay and step down afterward.

He made this appeal during a protest held in front of the National Press Club in Dhaka on Tuesday, February 4.

Manna expressed his concerns over the current state of the country, saying,

"Prices of essential items are increasing, the law-and-order situation is deteriorating, and the administration is in disarray. You should hold elections soon and leave with dignity, or else things could turn worse. Don’t delay this process in the name of reforms."

Criticizing recent comments made by Dr. Yunus, Manna added,

"Dr. Yunus cannot say things like, ‍‍`I want to allow students to join political parties. They have the right to do so.‍‍` Don’t fuel controversy. I had previously suggested giving the government three years, but now I’m saying elections must be held as soon as possible. Controversies and divisions are growing by the day, and the government has failed to show any significant achievements in any area."

The protest was organized by the Ziaur Rahman Social Welfare Council (ZISP) to demand justice for the death of Jubo Dal leader Touhid, who died following his arrest during a joint forces’ operation in Noakhali and Comilla.

Manna further condemned the killing, saying,

"There are no words strong enough to condemn the murder of Jubo Dal leader Touhid. The joint forces must explain this killing, and the Chief Adviser along with other advisers must be held accountable. Dr. Yunus’s silence on this issue cannot be accepted. Ignoring this matter could lead to further consequences, as one event can set off many others."

Addressing the lack of unity within the country, Manna remarked,

"People are questioning where the unity is when all they hear are sounds of division. The Yunus-led government is blaming one party while saying nothing about the other. It’s fine if they want to form political parties, but the people will not accept them using government privileges to do so."

With mounting concerns over law and order, rising prices, and political divisions, Manna’s strong words reflect growing frustrations among opposition figures.

The call for quick elections and a smooth transition seems to be gaining urgency, as citizens wait to see how the Yunus-led government responds to these demands.