Discontent is brewing between the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and the interim government in the country. The BNP is demanding that elections be held as soon as possible to restore democracy. Allegations are being hurled on a daily basis against the interim government. The National Citizen Party (NCP) founded by the leaders of the anti-Awami League ‘students movement’ has also found itself in the middle of a political brawl.
BNP wants elections as soon as possible
Zainul Abedin Farroque, member of the BNP’s Advisory Council, declared on Sunday that the party will take to the streets if a clear roadmap for the conduct of elections is not announced soon. “We will take to the streets for the election if it is not held in time. No one can stop or silence us,” he told party leaders at a meeting.
Farroque further accused the interim government of attempting to delay the elections in order to benefit the NCP, without actually naming the party. He went on to say, “The rights and demands for which we fought on the streets against Sheikh Hasina—we all unitedly carried out the movement and achieved success through the July mass uprising. But this government has tarnished the success we achieved. They should consider this seriously.”
Only a couple of days earlier, Joint Secretary General Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Anee had made similar accusations. He had claimed that “an invisible force is working to prevent the country from advancing towards democracy.”
Another senior leader of the party, Nazrul Islam Khan, echoed Farroque’s accusations against the interim government. “Some may need time to organise their party, others may need time to gather allies and friends. That’s why the basic human rights of the people to vote will be delayed. This cannot happen,” he told his colleagues during a meeting.
‘Foreign Citizen’, ‘Threat to Sovereignty’: BNP’s escalating rhetoric
Salahuddin Ahmed, a Standing Committee member of the BNP, recently accused Bangladesh’s National Security Adviser Dr Khalilur Rahman of being a foreign citizen. In an attack against Muhammad Yunus, Ahmed said, “You (Dr Yunus) have made a foreign citizen the national security adviser. How will our armed forces report to a foreign national? He will work for his own country, not for Bangladesh.” Rahman has dismissed these allegations and claimed that he remains a Bangladeshi citizen.
The BNP has also accused the interim government of threatening Bangladesh’s territorial integrity. The Muhammad Yunus-led government in April announced its decision to open a ‘humanitarian corridor’ from the Chittagong Hill Tracts to the Rakhine State in Myanmar. The BNP claims that the decision was taken unilaterally without consulting any stakeholders and has the potential to undermine the country’s national security.
Ahmed claimed, “If this decision is implemented, it will jeopardise Bangladesh’s security, peace, stability, territorial integrity and national sovereignty.” According to Ahmed, the move has the potential to involve Bangladesh in a military conflict with factions in Myanmar. More recently, senior leader Mirza Abbad has said, “The decision to give a corridor must come from an elected government — you are in no position to make such decisions.”
BNP vs Hasnat Abdullah
The BNP has threatened to bar NCP leader Hasnat Abdullah from entering Comilla district following a controversial comment by the latter. Hasnat is alleged to have said that the BNP in Comilla district operated using the Awami League’s money.
Md Selim Bhuiyan. a senior BNP functionary in the district, has said that Hasnat needs “mental treatment”. Selim said, “Politics requires tolerance and respect for opposing parties and leaders. His remarks have angered BNP activists in Comilla. If the comment is not withdrawn, it will not be possible to keep them calm.”
He went to assert, “If Hasnat Abdullah does not withdraw his remark, express regret, and apologize to the BNP’s central leadership promptly, I believe he should not be allowed to organize any event in Comilla.” The BNP has reiterated that if Hasnat fails to apologise, his entry into Comilla will be banned.
Selim also took potshots at the interim government saying that by involving such “immature leaders” in governance, it was only damaging its own reputation. Hasnat is the same individual who’s regularly spotted making incendiary remarks against India. His threat to cut off India’s Chicken Neck was seen as further evidence of rising anti-India sentiments in Bangladesh.
Implications for Bangladesh Politics
Bangladesh has suffered severe political instability ever since the ouster of Sheikh Hasina from power. Protests have become the order of the day. These protests have impacted economic production and civic life, both. There does not appear to be any clear end in sight to the chaos.
One possible reason for the interim government attempting to delay the elections is that the BNP has changed its outlook towards India during the past few months. The BNP is no longer as virulently anti-India as the interim government or the NCP. It is looking to build ties with India for the prosperity of their country.
BNP’s assistant secretary for international affairs, Barrister Rumeen Farhana, told Dhaka Tribune last month, “India is our friend. We want to maintain a positive relationship with them. But this relationship should be based on equality and mutual respect. However, India has, in the past, placed its relationship on a scale, meaning it was primarily with the Awami League. They need to move away from that.”
According to reports, the outreach for better relations is being conducted by both parties to the matter. India is reportedly keen on establishing a working relationship with the BNP in order to stabilise relations between the two countries.
Recently, the Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh had met with Chinese officials reiterating their desire to carve out an independent Arakan state from Myanmar for the resettlement of Rohingyas. If the plan goes through, it could pose a severe national security challenge to India.
