BNP-Jamaat
Is Jamaat's strength in changing colour
No third political force has emerged in Bangladesh after the Awami League and BNP. The Jatiya Party has effectively acted as the Awami League’s B team. Since the July uprising, there have been murmurs in the public sphere that Jamaat-e-Islami might form the next government. The results of student union elections at several public universities appear to hint at that possibility.
Why such large entourage when only 7 can attend UNGA
Chief Adviser of the Interim Government Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus went to New York in the United States to attend the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly. Along with seven advisers and officials of equivalent rank, six leaders from three political parties accompanied him—BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, the Acting Chairman’s Adviser on Foreign Affairs Humayun Kabir, Jamaat-e-Islami’s Nayeb-e-Ameer Syed Abdullah Muhammad Taher and Dr Nakibur Rahman, National Citizen Party (NCP) Member Secretary Akhtar Hossain and Joint Convener Dr Tasnim Zara. Initially, Dr Nakibur Rahman and Tasnim Zara were not included in the delegation; they were later added at the request of Jamaat and NCP.
Tarique Rahman’s interview and future of BNP politics
The most discussed event in Bangladesh’s recent politics is the long interview given by BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman to BBC Bangla. After seventeen long years in exile, this interview is not merely a message of his personal return; rather, it also carries hints of a possible new equation in Bangladesh’s future politics. As one of the main contenders for power, the BNP has long suffered from a crisis of leadership, internal divisions, corruption allegations, and failure to wage an effective movement. In such a context, this public political statement from the party’s top leader has sparked new debate—some see it as the beginning of BNP’s resurgence, while others consider it still an undefined promise.
UNGA, egg throwing, and few questions from conscious citizens
Every September, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) meets in New York. Heads of state and government from almost every country gather there. They present their country’s position, challenges and priorities, seek international support, and take part in various meetings. For Bangladesh too, this visit has never been an exception. Since independence, almost every government has given special importance to the UNGA trip and highlighted it heavily.
Govt must prove thru action, not words, what election will be like
Chief Adviser of the interim government Professor Muhammad Yunus has said, “The election will be held in the first half of February. It will be a festive election, if we can reach a decision through consensus. This election is not just an ordinary election; it will be the rebirth of the nation.” On 14 September, at the Foreign Service Academy in the capital, during ongoing dialogue with political parties organised by the National Consensus Commission, he once again declared his firm stance on the 13th National Parliamentary Election.
Jamaat had honeymoon period with both Awami League and BNP
Writer and researcher Mohiuddin Ahmed is at the same time a historian and a valiant freedom fighter. Among those who have written, analysed and researched most on the political context of post-independence Bangladesh, he is one. He is the only political writer in Bangladesh who wrote a book on the 1973 election titled “The Election of ’73”. He has also written “Red Terror: Siraj Sikder and Proletariat Politics”, “Anti-hero Sirajul Alam Khan”, “Awami League BNP: Which Way”, “The Rise and Fall of Jasad: Politics of a Turbulent Time” and many other works. He continues to write on contemporary politics.
Why unity of political parties only in words, not in action
In the politics of our country, full unity is still absent. On many important political issues, enough conflict among political parties is becoming visible. Besides, political unrest is also increasing significantly. It is not unusual for ordinary people to be worried about these matters. Naturally, the subject of elections has become everyone’s main expectation. Yet, disunity remains among political parties over the method of elections. There is even considerable doubt as to whether political parties are properly reaching the people or even trying to do so. Yet, in a democratic state, the main function is a change of government through elections. According to the constitution, elections are held in Bangladesh with the objective of changing government. Of course, at times this continuity has been disrupted in the context of the country’s political situation and conflicts among political parties.
The Unfinished Autobiography is indeed written by Bangabandhu
Abul Kasem Fazlul Haque. Renowned essayist in the Bangla language, social analyst, literary critic and political thinker. He is currently serving as the President of the Bangla Academy. This former professor of the Department of Bangla at Dhaka University spoke to Views Bangladesh on several recent issues. The interview was conducted by Views Bangladesh Editorial Assistant Shahadat Hossain Towhid.
Take early measures to ensure violence-free election
The winds of election have begun to blow. The campus is already heated up over the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) election. A few days ago, Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus announced that the 13th National Parliamentary Election would be held in February next year. Since then, political parties have been rushing to make their final preparations. In line with that, on Thursday (28 August), Election Commission Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed announced the roadmap for the upcoming national election. According to the roadmap, the parliamentary election will be held in the first half of February and the schedule will be announced in the first half of December.
Death of Bibhuranjan Sarkar and a documentary epitaph
Senior journalist and columnist Bibhoranjan Sarkar has left behind a message of grief for honest journalists in Bangladesh, which may be called his self-written epitaph. That epitaph has become a grim document of the miserable state of professional journalism in Bangladesh.