BNP
Truth and falsehood of national election surveys
In the upcoming national election, 12 per cent of people will vote for the BNP. Jamaat will get 10.40 per cent and the National Citizen Party (NCP) will get 2.80 per cent. If the Awami League is able to contest the polls, 7.30 per cent of people will vote for them. Besides, the Jatiya Party will get 0.30 per cent and other Islamic parties 0.70 per cent of the vote. This picture has emerged in a recent survey by the Brac Institute of Governance and Development (BIGD). It reflects the opinions of 5,489 people from different classes and professions in rural and urban areas.
The malpractice of secret politics
It seems a new stage has emerged in the politics of Bengal. Once upon a time, politics meant open struggle – who could chant slogans the loudest, who could bring the largest procession, who could stir up the crowd by crying out “Joy Bangla” or “Bangladesh Zindabad” in the highest voice. Back then politicians did not hide their identity, rather they were proud to say: “I am a worker of such-and-such party, I am a follower of such-and-such ideology.” But times have changed. Such simple declarations now appear old-fashioned. On the political stage there is now a new wave – not what is open, but what happens behind the scenes is the real thing; its name is secret politics.
Stones recovered, but why looting couldn’t be prevented
After the white stones of Bholaganj in Sylhet were looted, there was an uproar across the country. Strong criticism began on social media. Surely, this is not only because the state’s property was looted, but also because the country’s beauty was stolen. Countless tourists have visited Bholaganj to see the white stones. Anyone who goes sightseeing in Sylhet almost certainly visits a couple of places, and the white stones are one of them. Those who have previously visited Bholaganj took photos, uploaded them to social media, and wrote about them—now all of that is just a memory! Perhaps people would not be as hurt if their possessions were looted, but memories stolen cause deeper pain. In today’s Bangladesh, everything is being looted—assets, beauty, and memories!
Let ‘might is right’ policy end in upcoming national election
Let me begin with the words of the Chief Adviser of the interim government regarding a fair and neutral election. He said, “We want such an election that will satisfy the souls of the martyrs of the uprising.” According to him, this election will be so free, fair and neutral that it will remain memorable to the nation. He further said that the interim government is preparing for a free, fair, credible and inclusive general election to ensure justice, equality, freedom and dignity for the people, and for a smooth transition to democracy. Each of his statements contains an artistic rhythm that enchants listeners and increases the number of admirers, but does not inspire trust.
Mass uprising of 2024 did not fulfill people's aspirations
The departure of a patriarch does not mean the end of patriarchy. Dismantling patriarchy requires a social revolution—something that has yet to happen in our country. Equality of rights among people has not been established; nor is there any immediate hope of decentralizing power. Securing the fulfillment of people’s basic needs still remains a distant dream. And because social ownership has not replaced private ownership through a social revolution, the real foundation of inequality remains intact.
Has interim govt actually become a ‘government’ in a year
Just two days before the anniversary of the July uprising, on the afternoon of August 3, at a rally organised at the Central Shaheed Minar in the capital to declare the manifesto of the 'Second Republic' or New Bangladesh, several leaders of the National Citizens' Party (NCP) expressed discontent and criticism over unfulfilled expectations in various sectors over the past year. Yet the NCP is considered the main stakeholder or participant in the interim government. The government itself has, at various times, indicated its special preference or support for this party. One reason may be that the NCP was formed through the initiative of some youths who were at the forefront of the July uprising.
Extortion: A postmodern revolutionary culture
The very word 'extortion' evokes a mixed feeling. As if it is a folk tradition unique to Bengal, which, through sweat, blood, and the dust of the streets over generations, has taken on a distinct form in today’s modern society. There are numerous types of extortion: hall gate extortion, procession extortion, iftar party extortion, and the latest addition—movement extortion.
Why is embezzled money not being returned
The interim government has published a white paper on the corruption that took place during the Awami League’s tenure. The white paper states that over the past 15 years, $234 billion have been illegally laundered from Bangladesh abroad through 28 different means. Eminent individuals of the country prepared this white paper in a very short time. This valuable white paper is full of speculative information and inconsistencies. These capable experts described the history of corruption in a 400-page white paper within three months; yet, even after six months of publishing the white paper, the government has not managed to detain a single thief. The Awami League government had started catching thieves even without a white paper, and the corruption records of IGP Benazir Ahmed and National Board of Revenue’s Matiur Rahman were widely reported in the media. But have only Benazir and Matiur stolen the entire $234 billion? If not, there must be more thieves.
Consensus Commission: What if BNP does not agree
The National Consensus Commission is holding continuous dialogues with political parties on various issues of state reform; but on July 11, after a meeting of the commission, BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed expressed his anger about not being given a turn to speak before the media and was about to leave without speaking to journalists. His question was, "Is BNP the 5th party that it has to speak 5th?"
Politics in Bangladesh becoming increasingly complex
Politics in Bangladesh is becoming increasingly complex, confused and decaying. Leaderlessness, lack of ideology, and a decline in morality are now the inevitable features of the country’s political landscape.