Photo: Collected
The BNP is attempting to reactivate its anti-government movement. The party is holding a series of meetings with its alliance partners to mobilise quickly and effectively. They aim to avoid past mistakes in this renewed effort. Meanwhile, the Awami League is also preparing to resist any agitation from the BNP.
BNP leaders assert that the January 7 election lacks public respect, prompting them to advocate for free and fair elections once again. In contrast, Awami League leaders warn that any efforts to challenge the government, which they claim is duly elected, will be met with strong opposition.
The 12th National Parliament election was held on January 7 this year.
Before the election, the political landscape of Bangladesh began to shift due to the opposing stances of the Awami League and the BNP. The Awami League, adopting a zero-tolerance policy, refused to entertain the demands of the opposition, while the BNP organised large rallies and long marches calling for elections under a neutral government. Jamaat-e-Islami also joined the fray.
The political tension culminated in a mass meeting called by both parties in Dhaka on October 28 of the previous year. However, the situation escalated when a policeman was killed in a clash during a BNP rally, and the residence of the Chief Justice was attacked. Following this incident, the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami called for continuous strikes and blockades. In response, the government arrested top leaders from both parties, and strict police measures prevented BNP-Jamaat activists from sustaining their movement. Consequently, both parties failed to mobilise effectively, and their top leaders remained absent from the field.
The government navigated the electoral process smoothly despite special circumstances, such as the US visa ban on individuals obstructing free and fair elections in Bangladesh. The voting process was conducted without major issues. However, the opposition party, BNP, has raised various complaints regarding voter turnout at the centers.
Now, with the ruling party in high spirits after successfully forming the government post-election, the BNP is gearing up for a new movement. Over the past two weeks, the BNP has been holding a series of meetings with like-minded parties and alliances. In these meetings, the party is analysing their past mistakes and the failures of their previous movement. Leaders from both the BNP and allied parties assert that the election on January 7 was conducted without proper voter participation where no other party had a candidate, the Awami League essentially voted amongst themselves. This election was not widely accepted either domestically or internationally. Additionally, the country’s economic condition is fragile due to ongoing corruption during the current government’s tenure. Considering the overall situation, the BNP is contemplating reigniting their movement.
Several sources within the BNP indicate that the party wants to take time to reassess and prepare itself before taking action. If all goes as planned, the party aims to mobilise again by the end of June, rallying like-minded allies. Meanwhile, the BNP leadership is closely monitoring various factors, including the upcoming Indian elections, which may influence their strategy.
Meanwhile, the Awami League is monitoring the situation closely, even if they are not overly concerned about the BNP's proposed movement. Party leaders are keeping an eye on all developments, including the BNP's activities. According to several sources within the Awami League, the BNP has repeatedly claimed they would overthrow the government, yet the opposite has occurred each time. Despite this, the Awami League remains resolute. They believe that if the BNP tries to challenge the legitimately elected government, they will firmly resist any such attempts.
Regarding the issue, Awami League's organising secretary, Advocate Afzal Hossain, told The Daily Messenger that the BNP has been consistently defeated in their anti-government movements over the years. According to him, the party has lost its influence, as evidenced by the recent parliamentary election where their leaders did not mobilise effectively. Despite this, the Awami League is not dismissing any possibilities and is closely monitoring the situation. Hossain emphasised that if the BNP attempts to destabilise or discredit the elected government, the Awami League will not make any concessions. Instead, they will resist the BNP's efforts politically.
BNP Standing Committee member Gayeshwar Chandra Roy told The Daily Messenger, "After the last election, we are consulting with those who have protested alongside us in the past. We are discussing the general affairs of the country while meeting in informal gatherings.”
“We are listening to the leaders of various political parties and what they have to say. It is evident that the people of the country are not well. The main reason is the absence of democracy and elections without voter participation. Therefore, the BNP is committed to doing whatever it takes to restore the right to vote in a democratic system. The struggle of democrats against fascism will be challenging, but it will ultimately be victorious."
Messenger/Fameema
