**Political Parties Pledge Unity After Chief Adviser Warns of Election Sabotage Plot**
Dhaka: Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has urged major political parties to remain united to counter what he described as a coordinated conspiracy aimed at disrupting the upcoming national election, following a shooting attack on July uprising figure Osman Hadi.
Leaders of the BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami and the National Citizen Party (NCP) met Professor Yunus at the state guest house Jamuna on Saturday, a day after the attack, and assured him that they would put aside internal differences to resist any attempts to destabilise the political process.
The meeting took place amid growing concerns over law and order after Osman Hadi—convener of the Inqilab Mancha and a prospective independent candidate for Dhaka-8—was shot in the capital on Friday afternoon, a day after the election schedule for the 13th parliamentary polls and referendum was announced, with voting set for 12 February.
Hadi sustained a gunshot wound to the head and remains in critical condition at Evercare Hospital.
According to a statement from the Chief Adviser’s office, Professor Yunus described the attack as a deliberate and symbolic act intended to send a warning message ahead of the election. He said preliminary information suggested the involvement of a powerful network seeking to prevent the polls from being held.
The Chief Adviser said the attackers appeared to have expanded their network and deployed trained shooters, stressing that both the government and political parties must confront the threat collectively.
He cautioned that ousted political forces were attempting to exploit divisions among pro–July uprising groups and urged parties to avoid internal conflicts during the pre-election period.
Professor Yunus emphasised that political disagreements were natural but should not escalate into hostility or violence, calling on leaders to ensure that election-time tensions remain within acceptable limits.
Law Adviser Asif Nazrul warned that infighting among political parties in the past had strengthened the Awami League, urging leaders to prioritise national interests over narrow party considerations.
Before holding the meeting with party leaders, Professor Yunus also met members of Osman Hadi’s family to express concern and solidarity.
The meeting was attended by BNP Standing Committee members Salahuddin Ahmed and Hafiz Uddin Ahmed; Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar and Assistant Secretary General Ehsanul Mahbub Zubayer; NCP Convener Nahid Islam and southern region chief organiser Hasnat Abdullah. Law Adviser Asif Nazrul and Inqilab Mancha Member Secretary Abdullah Al Jaber were also present.
Following the discussion, party leaders reiterated their commitment to unity, acknowledging that failure to remain united could pave the way for the return of the deposed Awami League.
BNP leader Salahuddin Ahmed said that despite political differences, parties must refrain from mutual blame and remain united in the national interest and in the spirit of the July movement.
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