Dhaka: The July-August movement to change the decade-and-a-half-long rule created an absolute unity of the remaining political forces outside the then ruling party. That unity has now faded a lot in the seven months of the interim government after the fall of the Awami League government.
Not only is there division over the issue of early national elections, but the war of words between reactionary political forces and parties on different poles to achieve their demands has now largely degenerated into a conflict. BNP, one of the country's main political parties currently on the scene, is not willing to accept any delay in the 13th national elections in the name of reforms. The political division is now becoming more apparent day by day due to the vague statements of the advisers of the interim government, who have not paid attention to the demand for an election roadmap, and the insistence of the youth who led the movement on the issue of reform of the New National Citizens Party and Jamaat-e-Islami.
Although other political programs during Ramadan are limited, BNP and like-minded parties are expected to take to the streets for a tough protest after Eid. BNP National Standing Committee member Dr. Abdul Moin Khan told the media that elections must be held immediately. Reforms are an ongoing process. Therefore, BNP will not accept prolonging the elections by delaying the time in the name of reforms.
Giving the government a one-month ultimatum to announce the election roadmap, party standing committee member Salahuddin Ahmed said that if the demands are not met within this period, the next steps will be decided with the alliance partners.
Saying that doubts are being raised about the government's actions surrounding the elections, BNP leaders say that despite talking about reforms, they are trying to postpone the elections. The government is busy implementing the agenda of the new party (NCP). They are also taking into consideration the comments of Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, who said, "If there are fewer reforms, the elections will be held in December and if there are more reforms, the elections will be held in June."
Commenting on the delay in the elections, BNP Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said at an event yesterday that if the Election Commission is working properly, then why is the election possible in December between June and July. How long does it take to implement reforms so that the law enforcement agencies cannot become the government's forces and oppress the people?
BNP policymakers are suspicious of those who want to create a delay in the elections by bringing up these unnecessary issues outside the elections. That is why they have demanded a quick election and an election roadmap. But BNP policymakers are seeing attempts to prolong the national elections in the activities of the interim government. They also believe that the words of some advisers are spreading an anti-election smell.
They said that BNP will gradually take a hard line in demanding elections at a reasonable time so that these conspiracies against the elections and BNP cannot succeed in any way.
At the Iftar ceremony of the Islamic Andolon of Bangladesh, the party's Amir and Charmonai Pir Mufti Syed Muhammad Rezaul Karim said yesterday that reforms in the constitution, election commission, public administration, police, ACC and judiciary have become urgent. If necessary reforms are not made in these areas, there will be a risk of returning to the previous state. Therefore, reforms must be made in these areas.
He believes that if the proportional representation system is followed in the national elections, there will be a qualitative change in politics and an effective and properly representative parliament will be formed.
On the other hand, National Citizens Party (NCP) convener Nahid Islam said at a press conference held at the party's temporary office on Friday that after the uprising of the students and the public, the people have a desire for change and justice. We must walk the path of elections by ensuring that these two desires of the people are fulfilled. When the elections will be held depends on the visible progress of reforms and justice.
The depth of the disagreement between the interim government and the student leadership with the BNP and its like-minded parties can be gauged from a recent statement by BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir. He said, "If the interim government is not neutral, then a neutral government will be needed during the elections."
In response to Mirza Fakhrul's statement, NCP convener Nahid Islam said that the BNP Secretary General's demand for a neutral government basically indicates the formation of another 1/11 government.
However, amidst such arguments, there have been several incidents of violent clashes between leaders and activists of the NCP and their affiliate organizations and leaders and activists of BNP affiliate organizations in different parts of the country. Given the situation, it appears that the ongoing war of words and sporadic clashes may later escalate into a major conflict.
In such a situation, senior researcher and social thinker Badruddin Umar believes that it will be the duty of this government to hold early elections. "Otherwise, the government in the current situation will not be able to do much. And as time goes by, their popularity will decrease," he said.