BNP has demanded that the interim government play a role similar to a caretaker government to make the upcoming national election in February free, fair, and acceptable to all.

The party has also urged Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus to remove any party-affiliated officials from the government to maintain neutrality.

Ahead of the polls, BNP called for the removal of "fascist allies" from the Secretariat, district administration, and judiciary, saying the government must act in the spirit of a caretaker administration.

"We met with the chief adviser to discuss several political concerns. To ensure that the upcoming February election is fair, neutral, and acceptable to all, the interim government must now operate under the model of a true caretaker administration," said BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.

He made the remarks at around 7:30 pm this evening while talking to journalists after meeting Chief Adviser Yunus.

"In other words, they must assume the full responsibilities and functions of a caretaker government," he added.

Fakhrul said that to move towards a caretaker-type government, the administration must first be made completely neutral.

"That idea must take root among the public. In particular, within the Secretariat we have urged that officials still present -- those identified as allies of the fascists -- be removed and replaced with neutral officers," he said.

"Similar measures should be taken in the district administration as well," he added.

"We believe some people are still serving the interests of the previous government. We have called for their removal," Fakhrul further said.

The BNP leader said that the party also urged the government to maintain neutrality in recruitment of police and promotion of officers.

"We said that within the judiciary -- particularly the higher judiciary -- those still aligned with the fascists should be removed and replaced with neutral judges. Although this is primarily a matter for the judiciary, we have raised our concerns since the interim government oversees all affairs," he said.