In a significant breakthrough in Bangladesh’s political arena, Mahfuz Alam, a key adviser to the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus, announced on Saturday that Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League party will be barred from participating in upcoming elections. This declaration was made during a street rally in Chandpur district, where Alam, a prominent figure in the Anti-Discrimination Movement, emphasized that future elections would only involve “pro-Bangladesh” groups.
Alam, who played a crucial role in the mass uprising that led to the ousting of Hasina’s government and her subsequent exile on August 5, 2024, stated, “The elections will be contested among pro-Bangladesh groups only.” He identified Khaleda Zia’s Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Jamaat-e-Islami, and other like-minded organizations as the only entities permitted to engage in political activities moving forward.
Mr. Alam further asserted that the Awami League’s return to power would not be tolerated, insisting that no elections would occur until “minimum reforms” were enacted and institutions, which he claimed were dismantled by the “fascist Hasina government,” were restored.
This announcement comes amid escalating tensions surrounding political reforms and the exclusion of the once-dominant Awami League from the political landscape. Since the upheaval in August 2024, the party has been largely marginalized, with many of its leaders facing imprisonment on various charges, including murder and corruption, or living in hiding both within Bangladesh and abroad.
The BNP, however, has taken a more conciliatory approach, opposing the outright ban of any political party, including the Awami League. The party has called for elections to be conducted as soon as possible, following essential reforms. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir cautioned that the interim government should not prolong the reform process, warning that an unelected government should not remain in power for an extended period.
Speculation is growing regarding the potential formation of a youth-led political party by the student leaders who were instrumental in the anti-Awami League movement. The BNP has expressed concerns that the interim government could lose its legitimacy if its members were to establish a new party while still in power.
Asif Mahmud Sajeeb Bhuiyan, the Local Government and Youth and Sports Adviser and another key figure in the Anti-Discrimination Movement, hinted at a competitive landscape for public welfare initiatives in a recent Facebook post. Meanwhile, Information Affairs Adviser Nahid Islam, another prominent student leader, suggested that current government advisers might resign from their positions if it becomes necessary to form a new party and participate in future elections.
Last month, Muhammad Yunus indicated that the next general election could be scheduled for late 2025 or the first half of 2026. However, he noted that the timing would hinge on achieving political consensus and the extent of the required reforms.
As the political situation in Bangladesh continues to evolve, the exclusion of the Awami League from future elections marks a pivotal moment in the country’s governance and democratic processes. The coming months will be crucial in determining the direction of political reforms and the potential for new political entities to emerge in the wake of the recent upheaval.
