 "Bangladesh: Is Yunus bringing arch-rivals BNP and Awami League closer?")
It’s been six months since Bangladesh has been living under an interim government. Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s ouster from the country in August 2024 served the purpose of both the protesting students who were catalysts in her government’s fall and the Opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s (BNP) resurgence in the country.
Hasina’s Awami League has been widely unpopular in the Southeast Asian country and a deadly students’ movement led to her eventual downfall. This movement was backed by both the current interim government and the BNP.
However, recent events in Bangladesh suggest that Awami League’s arch nemesis BNP is joining its tune to disapprove the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government that took charge right after Hasina fled the nation.
Yunus says polls to be held in December
Bangladesh is working towards holding general elections by December, the party of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia said after some of its officials held a meeting with Yunus.
The BNP expects Yunus to soon announce a roadmap for general elections, its secretary general, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, told reporters.
“We have once again pressed them on this matter,” he said on Monday. “He (Yunus) told us that they are working to hold the election by December.”
However, the BNP has been insisting the government hold early elections. Last month, Alamgir said, “We think the elections are possible in the middle of this year, and that means between July and Aug.”
Both parties to hold rallies
Meanwhile, both parties have announced that they will hold nationwide protests against ht government.
While the Awami League is set to hold rallies on February 10, nationwide blockades on February 16 and hartals two days later, the BNP has said that it will demonstrate against the government in all 64 districts on February 11.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsBNP slams vandalising Mujibur Rahman’s home
Last week, thousands of protesters set fire to the residence of Bangladesh’s founding leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman after Hasina, his daughter, called on supporters to stand against the interim government.
BNP responded to the act by saying that the law and order situation in Bangladesh is “deteriorating”.
They were concerned that the recent wave of attacks and vandalism over the past two days could jeopardize national stability and interfere with the forthcoming national election.
Who is likely to win B’desh polls?
Given the current political landscape, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), led by former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, is considered a strong contender in the upcoming elections. The BNP has been actively engaging with the interim government, urging for a clear electoral roadmap and timely elections.
B’desh students to launch political party
Meanwhile, students who spearheaded the protests that led to Hasina’s ouster are all set to launch their own political party and contest the upcoming elections.
The new party will take a balanced stance, steering clear of both leftist and rightist ideologies. Its policies will align with international standards while being grounded in Bangladesh’s realities to effectively address various issues.
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