The political situation in Bangladesh remains uncertain despite recent dialogue initiated by Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, as the interim government has yet to announce a clear roadmap for the forthcoming parliamentary elections.
Many political parties have expressed frustration, describing the discussions as “unfruitful” and routine, with no firm commitment from the government regarding a timeline for elections or reforms.
Political analysts and various stakeholders have warned that continued ambiguity could fuel further instability. They argue that a lack of transparency will only escalate existing tensions.
Party leaders have emphasised that the government must demonstrate its neutrality through actions such as removing controversial advisers from the interim advisory council and treating all parties – including the National Citizen Party (NCP) – equally.
“Specifically, if the government fails to retain the confidence of the BNP, the situation will deteriorate further. At the same time, the Chief Adviser should announce a specific roadmap for the election and associated reforms. If political parties agree to participate, the current deadlock can be resolved,” said Prof Sabbir Ahmed of the Department of Political Science at Dhaka University, speaking to the Daily Sun.
Tensions have been building for the past week over various issues, including the proposed humanitarian corridor to Myanmar’s Rakhine state, management of the Chattogram port, BNP leader Ishraq Hossain’s protest demanding to be sworn in as mayor of Dhaka South City Corporation, and the NCP’s demonstration in front of the Election Commission (EC), calling for its reconstitution and for local government elections to precede the national polls.
Simultaneously, the interim government, led by Prof Yunus, has been the target of widespread protests on various issues, both in Dhaka and elsewhere, resulting in severe public inconvenience.
In response to the crisis, the Chief Adviser held dialogue over two days – Saturday and Sunday – with major political parties, including the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, and the NCP.
During Saturday night’s meeting, the BNP, led by senior leader Dr Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, demanded that elections be held by December, called for the resignation of three key advisers from the interim cabinet, and pressed for a formal roadmap for elections and reforms.
Following the meeting, BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed told the Daily Sun, “The chief adviser did not give any assurances regarding our demands. They (the government) did not provide a clear decision. We will issue a response after hearing the official statement from the press secretary.”
Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman stated that his party had also demanded a roadmap for elections and reforms, proposing two possible timelines – either mid-February or shortly after Ramadan – depending on the pace of the reforms.
However, several BNP leaders expressed disappointment with the outcome, saying the meeting failed to address key uncertainties. Party sources revealed that the BNP would announce its next steps within a day or two.
Insiders noted that the BNP is not planning immediate agitation against the interim government but will continue to monitor its activities closely. In the meantime, the party will launch various public programmes to garner support for its demand that the election be held within December, preceded by the announcement of a clear election roadmap.
“People want a specific roadmap. The Chief Adviser must state the exact date and month when citizens can cast their votes. He holds a position of responsibility – what’s preventing him from declaring the election date?” BNP Standing Committee member Gayeshwar Chandra Roy asked, speaking to the Daily Sun.
He further argued that national elections should be held by December, as the following months will be unsuitable due to Ramadan, Eid, and the rainy season.
“People lose trust when the government fails to declare an election roadmap. It creates confusion. And when the people are kept in the dark, they are likely to act out,” Gayeshwar added.
At a programme on Sunday, BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman also stated that any government plan lacking transparency and political inclusivity would ultimately fail.
Other political groups, including BNP allies and leftist parties, have echoed calls for a detailed election roadmap and a December deadline for national polls.
Speaking to the Daily Sun, leaders from at least five political parties involved in the talks with the Chief Adviser said the meetings were not “fruitful” as they failed to receive specific commitments – such as an election schedule or concrete reforms – to resolve the ongoing impasse.
They also urged the government to reorganise the advisory council, removing controversial figures in order to uphold the administration’s neutrality.
The Left Democratic Alliance (LDA), a coalition of left-wing parties, demanded that parliamentary elections be held by December with minimum reforms to resolve the crisis.
In a written statement issued Sunday, the LDA accused the government of creating the current crisis by delaying both reforms and the genocide trial process, and by making decisions beyond its jurisdiction – citing the humanitarian corridor with Myanmar and the leasing of the Chittagong port’s new mooring terminal to a foreign company.
“The government should make the 2024 genocide trial process visible to the public. After implementing minimum necessary reforms, it must conduct national elections by 2025 and hand over power to an elected government,” the LDA statement read.
The alliance further alleged that the interim government had distanced itself from the political parties, favouring a particular group instead – a move they believe has intensified the crisis.
Political analysts have cautioned that unless the government declares a clear election roadmap, parties will remain uncertain about its intentions.
They stress that the government must prove its neutrality to both the electorate and political parties in the lead-up to the general election, avoiding any perception of bias.
Moreover, if the current climate of mistrust persists, tensions could escalate beyond control.
“The government bears responsibility for the current crisis, having failed to consult political parties and stakeholders on sensitive issues such as the corridor and port management,” said Mahbub Ullah, political analyst and former professor at Dhaka University, speaking to the Daily Sun.
He further warned, “If this interim government fails, then a military or semi-military regime may take power – a scenario that would benefit India and the Awami League, but would be disastrous for the country.”
Source: Daily Sun
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