Bangladesh's politics and people's struggle: A fearless analysis

Elections in Bangladesh once were a festival of democracy, an expression of people’s hopes and aspirations; but that festival is now merely a memory of the past. The December 2008 election might have been a pre-fixed game, yet the people felt the atmosphere of festivity. Since then, elections have never felt like a celebration. In 2014, when a one-party government secured 254 out of 300 seats, the 2018 parliament was formed through a night-time vote, and in the 2024 election, the registration itself was one-sided—these processes prove that there is no such thing as an election in this country anymore.

The youth have forgotten the festival of voting; the light of democracy has gone out. Less than five percent voting in the 2014 election, and massive deprivation of young voters in the 2018 and 2024 elections, depict a horrific image of people’s mental anguish. Although the mass uprising of July 2024 brought a breeze of hope to bring back the lost festival of voting for the youth, within a few months that light of hope began to fade. No sooner had the fascist regime was ousted through the July uprising, the unity of anti-fascist forces started to collapse.

Distance between BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, and the new political party NCP was increasing and heading towards hostility. The behaviour of the interim government also came under question. Disagreements between the government and BNP, along with like-minded parties, over the election date were deepening day by day, carrying alarming signals for the country’s democratic politics. The situation reached a point where BNP and its allies were compelled to move towards political programmes demanding election in December next.

However, unexpectedly, under the leadership of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, a significant political unity emerged. On June 13, 2025, at a historic meeting held at the Dorchester Hotel in London, BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman and the head of the interim government Dr Muhammad Yunus sat at the same table. After the meeting, a joint statement expressed preliminary agreement on holding the next national parliamentary election in February 2026. This news spread a breeze of hope among the people of the country.

Even amidst long-standing oppression and injustice, they had seen that crises could be resolved through dialogue. This London meeting will be recorded in history as the first real and successful example of overcoming a political crisis in Bangladesh. However, the joint statement also included conditions on progress in reform and prosecution of those responsible for genocide, which signals some uncertainty. Every party will have its own interests and strategies in politics, but if the country’s welfare is the main principle, it is hoped that consensus will eventually be established among all. A “win-win” situation can be created for everyone to participate in the upcoming election.

However, there is no credible way to gauge true public opinion in Bangladesh. Although multiple referendums and opinion polls have been held since independence, they are not reliable. Small political parties in the country also claim representation for the sake of democracy’s development and establishment of good governance, but whether their political demands align with the general people’s expectations is doubtful. Many claim, via television talk shows and social media, that the people support them, but in reality, it does not reflect the full truth.

The main desire of political parties is to achieve power and protect their own interests. The Awami League’s primary desire is the rapid fall of the interim government and a return to power. BNP is trying to organise elections quickly and seize power. Despite being subjected to repression for the past one and a half decades, Jamaat-e-Islami is now in the process of restructuring and regaining strength. Under the leadership of the new generation, they are trying to become a people-oriented party, though they are still limited in electoral politics.

New young leaders have emerged in the political field through student and public uprisings, but they are yet to understand the harshness of real politics and have to learn ‘realpolitik’. Amid all these political changes and processes, the lack of proper leadership and good governance for the benefit of ordinary people is evident. Bangladesh’s army, police, and administration run on people’s salaries and taxes. Yet, in the current situation, the ‘tokai’ or common people are the true protectors of the country. With the strength of their spirit, united, they have saved the country from dictatorship. When every organ of the state has failed, the people have stood up.

These questions cannot be avoided—what is the role of the protectors of the state? Why are they unable to serve the people? Why don’t politicians want to face this crisis? When will the fate of the ‘tokai’ or common people change? Was this country built just for the politicians to live their lives? To answer these questions requires steadfast courage, serious analysis, and facing harsh reality. Not by words alone—without effective reform, the rights of the country’s people will not be restored. Unless political parties devote themselves beyond self-interest to the welfare of the country and its people, this deprivation will not end.

The biggest obstacles in our country are corruption, dictatorship, administrative weakness, and self-serving politics. In a system that runs the country where the rights of the people are not considered, the development of true democracy is impossible. For this, political and administrative reform is needed that is accountable to the people.

My personal expectations are:

1. Adoption of a two-term presidential system like the United States. If the Westminster system is not changed, then at least limiting the Prime Minister’s term to two terms.

2. Consensus on the framework of a caretaker government before the election, where the Chief Justice will not be relied upon, as the old method was controversial.

3. Formulation of a national charter to counter Indian aggression and prevent infiltration by foreign agents.

4. Appointment of judges with the status of Prime Minister to ensure equal rights of citizens and protection under the law.

Although fulfilling these expectations may be difficult, they are essential for Bangladesh’s lasting peace, development, and democracy.

Above all, the ‘tokai’ people, who continue to struggle for the country’s independence and democracy, are the true strength of the country. The state and political leadership cannot ignore their struggle. The state and administration must now realise their responsibility and stand by the people. Otherwise, the future of the country will sink into darkness.

Rahman Mridha: Researcher and writer, former director, Pfizer, Sweden