DHAKA: With growing pressure for early elections in Bangladesh, the Muhammad Yunus-led interim govt is in a dilemma over banning Awami League from participating in politics and elections, according to political insiders. While the student leaders who spearheaded the July-Aug uprising are advocating the exclusion of Awami League from the political arena, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its allies are opposing such a ban, emphasising the need for political inclusion.
BNP, now the largest party in the absence of Awami League, and its allies have been calling for early elections. They have argued that all “urgent” political reforms must be completed before the elections, and the legitimacy of Awami League’s involvement in politics be addressed. This has created pressure on the interim govt, which must prioritise its course of action amidst competing demands, said insiders.
BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said Wednesday, “Awami League is a political party, and the people will decide if they will contest elections.” However, he added, “Those who killed people… and laundered the country’s money abroad must be brought under the law, tried and punished.”
Meanwhile, BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia is set to attend the Armed Forces Day reception on Thursday, marking her first participation in a state event since her imprisonment in Feb 2018. This will also be her first appearance at the reception in nearly 11 years.