The speakers at a roundtable on Tuesday said the political unity that was built after 5 August last year is being destroyed, while the country is moving towards a deep crisis.

They said in this situation, the only solution is holding a parliamentary election as soon as possible in a free, fair and neutral manner.

Politicians, political scientists, and prominent figures of the country came up with the statement while speaking at a roundtable discussion titled “Parliamentary Elections to End the Crisis,” arranged by News24 television channel at Bashundhara City in Panthapath of the capital.

Speaking at the event, former Dhaka University professor and economist Dr Mahbub Ullah said, "The jet crash incident at Milestone School and College is enough to understand the situation of our country. This country is weak and fragile from within, and this fragile state is making many things more fragile.”

He said, "There were three elections during Sheikh Hasina's time, in which the people were deprived of their right to vote. Therefore, the solution to this situation is a fair, competitive, reliable election. If we can hold such an election, then at least half of the crisis will be solved."

"The national unity that was built in the country after August 5 has sunk into quicksand. Therefore, everyone must come to a consensus on the elections," Mahbub Ullah added.

Former professor and political scientist at Jahangirnagar University, Dr Dilara Chowdhury said, "We are in a national crisis, amid foreign interference. There is crisis in economy, education, and health. Boys are not returning to the classroom."

“The crisis is very intense. Therefore, the election will not only lead to a credible but also a stable political system. Elections are necessary to lead to that stable situation,” she added.

Former CPB president Mujahidul Islam Selim said, "I am in favor of fundamental reforms. Everything economic, cultural, and social needs to be radically changed. People's consent is needed to implement reforms quickly, and for this, elections must be held quickly."

BNP Vice Chairman Shamsuzzaman Dudu said, "I think this government has created the crisis itself. If they had taken the initiative to restore democracy, they could have created many examples in the last one year. But I think they have used a year to prevent or prolong the election. To get out of this place, to overcome the crisis, the parliamentary election can show us the way."

Jonayed Saki, the chief coordinator of the Ganasanghati Andolan, said, "All kinds of crises remains same as they were before. The 'July Uprising' has given a big push and shown the way to some solutions. The political roadmap that has been created needs to be made clearer."

AB Party President Mujibur Rahman Manju said, "A crisis has ended with Hasina's departure. But now there is a big gap in political consensus. However, the main strength of this government was all-party consensus. But now it is gone."

Political analyst and member of the Electoral Reform Commission Dr Zahed Ur Rahman said, "We are under various international pressures. This pressure is gradually increasing."

Poet Hasan Hafiz, president of the Jatiya Press Club and editor of the daily Kaler Kantho, said, "There are conspiracies inside and outside the country to destabilize the country. Sheikh Hasina is constantly making threats. This is unacceptable in any way. The government will have to decide over these things. The way to resolve the crisis is to announce a roadmap for the elections quickly."

Rezaul Karim Lotus, editor of the English daily Daily Sun, said, "If we had worked on finding our own faults instead of blaming others, many problems would have been solved. Elections and reform processes can go hand in hand. But in the last one year, no reforms have taken place, rather, new issues have emerged. As a result, an atmosphere of distrust has been created.”

“There could have been a clear roadmap for reforms, which would have been implemented by the elected government. The way the process is going now, the elections will only get delayed. If there is no general election, the crisis will increase further," he added.

Bangladesh Pratidin Executive Editor Manjurul Islam said, "After August, the crises in our political, economic, diplomatic, law and order and education systems is increasing. However, no matter how much the crises, the only solution to all crises is elections."

Banglanews24.com in-charge Touhidul Islam Montu said, "There is a difference of opinion on whether elections should come first or reforms. This division is now a big crisis, which can only be resolved through a national election."

The program, moderated by News24 Head of News Shariful Islam Khan, was also attended by National Citizen Party (NCP) Joint Convener Dr Atiq Mujahid.