The BNP believes the ongoing debate, triggered by remarks from National Citizen Party (NCP) leader Hasnat Abdullah and others pressing for a ban on the Awami League, is part of a strategy to delay the national election.

Party leaders argue these are "attempts to incite tensions between the military and the public, creating political unrest". They believe these actions are part of a calculated move to disrupt the electoral process.

NCP leader Hasnat Abdullah recently alleged a conspiracy was afoot to bring the AL back into politics at the behest of India. A proposal for accommodating a "refined Awami League" was made to them at a meeting in the cantonment.

Hasnat's remarks touched off a political maelstrom.

While the BNP supports holding AL leaders accountable for misrule and misconduct, it opposes any attempt to impose an outright ban on the party, it said.

BNP leaders maintain that such decisions should be left to the people rather than being enforced through a government directive or political manoeuvring.

The party's standing committee member Salahuddin Ahmed said, "We cannot back any action that undermines national stability and unity. Politics should remain in the hands of politicians and must be conducted in the interest of the nation."

He also said the BNP believes the AL must face trial for genocide and crimes against humanity under article 47 of the constitution, which allows amendments to the International Crimes Tribunal Act.

"The court should decide whether the Awami League can continue participating in elections and political activities."

At the same time, Salahuddin slammed the government for initially considering legal amendments to prosecute the AL as a party, only to backtrack later.

"Instead, the government opted to suppress the party's political activities using police force."

He said the people of Bangladesh had rejected AL's "fascist politics" through the July uprising. He accused the party of failing to show repentance or seek forgiveness for their crimes.

Stressing their party's commitment to a multiparty democracy and inclusivity, BNP leaders said endorsing a move to ban a party contradicts its core values. They further warned that creating political turmoil and involving the military in such matters could destabilise the country ahead of the December election.

Speaking to this newspaper, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said, "It [the demand for a ban on the AL] is an attempt to create an anarchic situation in the country and ultimately delay the electoral process.

"By making such statements [like the army exerting pressure to bring the AL back], certain groups are trying to make the patriotic armed forces controversial and pit them against the people for an ulterior political motive … It's very dangerous for the country's sovereignty and independence, which we can't support," he added.

BNP leaders accused the NCP of attempting to pressurise the interim government by manufacturing political crises, one after another. The party believes taking such action (banning AL) through an executive order would set a bad precedent.

While BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman did not directly address the issue, he urged the interim government to avoid actions that might allow fugitive allies of the previous regime to regain influence in politics.

Virtually addressing an iftar event on Friday, he said doubts and suspicions have arisen in politics as minor issues are being turned into major ones, whether knowingly or unknowingly.

He stressed the need to prioritise the national election over local government polls, warning, "The allies of the fallen autocrat still hold thousands of crores of taka looted from the state and the people. In such a situation, holding local polls before the national election would mean creating an opportunity to rehabilitate these fugitive fascists back into politics."

At the same event, Fakhrul urged caution: "We believe that at this moment, wherever we are, we must act responsibly. Those of us in politics, in different professions, connected to the government and the people -- we must all speak and act in a way that smoothens the path to democratic progress."

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi further clarified the party's stance, questioning why the AL should be banned if it is led by individuals not involved in corruption or violence.

"If someone leads the Awami League without committing crimes, without being involved in student killings, without embezzling or laundering money -- then why can't the Awami League participate in politics?

"If swift justice is ensured and the criminals are prosecuted, and if the people then allow them to engage in politics, we have nothing to say."

The NCP leaders made their demand and allegations against the army after Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus stated that the interim government has no plans to ban the AL. However, he added that individuals within the party accused of crimes, including murder and crimes against humanity, would be prosecuted in Bangladeshi courts.