Reza Mahmud :
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), the main opposition party, is intensifying its ongoing protests to demand the holding of a national election under a non-partisan caretaker government, following the dissolution of the 12th parliament and the resignation of the Awami League government.
According to party insiders, the BNP’s leadership has resolved to escalate its engagement with the public to maintain its relevance and to sway public opinion in its favor.
Moreover, the party is prioritizing the release of its jailed leaders and activists through legal means, aiming to restore them to their normal lives.
In its strategy to bolster street protests, the BNP plans to highlight the government’s failures, including its inability to control inflation, and to address the electricity and gas crises.
As a critical strategy, the BNP is considering the formation of a new alliance to unify and strengthen its protest movement, with the ultimate goal of toppling the Awami League government through concerted street protests.
In discussions with The New Nation, BNP leaders expressed their belief that their efforts to influence the 12th parliamentary elections were not in vain, citing the low voter turnout as evidence of the electorate’s adherence to their boycott call.
The party claims that only five percent of eligible voters cast their ballots, while the remaining 95 percent boycotted the polls in response to the BNP’s call. BNP leaders allege that the Awami League government rigged the ‘one-sided’ elections with the support of state machinery and international backers, including India and Russia.
In light of these challenges, the BNP is committed to continuing its protests to increase pressure on the government and to win public support. As part of this effort, the party has announced a six-day campaign of distributing leaflets, starting from Tuesday until February 19, across the country.
These leaflets will highlight the alleged irregularities of the January 7 elections and other grievances against the Awami League government, urging citizens to unite against these issues.
Additionally, the BNP is focused on securing the release of its incarcerated members, with more than 20,000 party affiliates arrested in the lead-up to the January 7 elections. Many have also faced job losses, business shutdowns, and property damage, according to party leaders.
BNP Senior Joint-Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi highlighted the hardships faced by jailed party members and their families, including the loss of income and property. He emphasized the necessity of a unified opposition platform to enhance the effectiveness of the street protests.
Goyeswar Chandra Roy, a member of the BNP’s National Standing Committee, expressed optimism that the movement will gain strength as it resonates with the populace, emphasizing the struggle for democratic rights.
Mahmudur Rahman Manna, President of Nagorik Oikya and an ally in the BNP-led movement, acknowledged the potential for forming a unified platform, though he noted that certain issues need to be addressed before such an alliance can be established.
The BNP has been out of power for the past 15 years, marked by its defeat in the 2008 elections, non-participation in the 2014 elections, and failure to secure a favorable outcome in the 2018 elections.
Leading up to the January 7 polls, the party launched a series of hartals and blockades nationwide, following the disruption of its grand rally on October 28 last year, as part of its anti-government campaign
