DHAKA, Bangladesh — On Friday, a significant demonstration involving tens of thousands of supporters from a prominent political party took place in Bangladesh’s capital. The gathering was aimed at urging the establishment of new elections and demanding urgent reforms.
Currently, Bangladesh is operating under an interim government, which came into effect following the departure of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August.
The rally was organized by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), led by former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, who has consistently pressured the interim government, now led by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus, to implement swift reforms and arrange for the next national elections.
Hasina and Zia are entrenched political rivals within a longstanding dynastic political structure. Zia is currently unwell and could not personally participate in the rally; instead, her son, Tarique Rahman, who is regarded as the heir to her leadership role and has been in exile since 2008, addressed the gathering via video from London.
On that day, BNP supporters marched through the streets of Dhaka, traversing key roads before arriving at the parliament building to express their desire for their party to lead the next government.
The interim government under Yunus has yet to announce a timeline for the upcoming elections. Initially, the BNP had called for elections to take place within three months following Yunus’s assumption of leadership, which occurred after Hasina fled to India amidst a mass uprising spearheaded by students, effectively concluding her 15-year reign on August 5.
BNP officials have previously stated that they expect the Yunus-led administration to work towards organizing the elections quickly, rather than prolonging its stay in power. At the same time, they express a willingness to allow the interim government some time to implement necessary reforms.
During his address, Rahman asserted that the interim government must be safeguarded from failure, especially given the significant challenges it faces in maintaining order throughout the nation. Additionally, Hasina’s party, the Awami League, alongside its allies, is contending with the complexities arising from the new political dynamics.
Without making explicit comments about future elections, Rahman emphasized the need for the government to take constructive measures to address the public’s expectations. Recently, BNP leaders have hinted at the possibility of street protests in the next two to three months if the interim government does not establish a clear electoral roadmap.
Rahman encouraged his supporters to stay alert, cautioning them that the remnants of Hasina’s former regime remain active. “Those who aided the exiled autocrats are still present, both domestically and internationally, within governance and administration, and are working to destabilize the interim government. It is critical that this government succeeds,” Rahman asserted, also serving as the acting chairman of the BNP.
This rally unfolded against the backdrop of Hasina facing serious allegations of crimes against humanity linked to the deaths occurring during the July-August protests. The current administration has stated that it intends to pursue her repatriation from India once forthcoming judicial determinations are made.