Political tension in Bangladesh is rising sharply as the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), led by former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, demands that general elections be held by December this year. The party has made it clear that it will not accept any delay and is preparing to launch a nationwide movement if a concrete election date is not announced soon.
At the center of the political storm is Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, currently serving as the chief advisor to the interim government formed after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina stepped down on August 5 following mass protests. While Yunus has stated that elections may be held sometime between December and June next year, the BNP remains unsatisfied, alleging that the interim government is using the excuse of "reforms" to prolong its time in power.
“The absence of a clear roadmap for elections is a sign of political incompetence,” said BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, adding, “Only an elected government can resolve the ongoing political crisis. The people must be given the right to choose their leaders.”
BNP leaders alleged that Yunus is deliberately stalling the election process to maintain control under the guise of institutional reforms. According to sources, the party is planning large-scale protests across cities and districts to pressure the government into action. Already, preparatory meetings and mobilisation efforts are underway nationwide.
Despite the growing frustration, BNP has expressed interest in one final round of dialogue with Yunus.
“We will sit for discussions on the election timeline. Partner parties will also be consulted before any major announcement to the public,” said Salauddin Ahmed, a senior member of the BNP’s standing committee.
The political uncertainty stems from the formation of the interim government following Hasina's exit from office and subsequent relocation to India. At the time, the Yunus-led administration pledged to introduce essential reforms and then hold elections. However, no significant electoral process has yet been initiated, leading to skepticism and unrest among opposition parties.
BNP and its allies insist that reforms should not be an excuse to delay democracy. They argue that any remaining reforms should be undertaken by an elected government, not an unelected interim leadership.
With no voting date in sight, political instability continues to brew, and the possibility of mass protests looms large.
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