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 more the conflict rises, the more political uncertainty comes to the fore. Political parties must remember that in the politics of votes the only tools for victory are organisational strength and public support. If a party’s organisational foundation is not strong and it does not have public support, it cannot influence elections. It must be said that new parties should attract voters’ attention by presenting alternative ideas or people-oriented programmes for the common people. Many parties fail to reach the people because of unrealistic political philosophies. As a result, public support does not grow; instead, an environment of jealousy, enmity and violence develops. Broadly speaking, the electoral results of such political parties turn out negative.

We must remember, there is no alternative to an elected government for a new order free from fascism and discrimination. For peace, the people of the country gave wholehearted support to the student-people’s uprising. Everyone hoped peace would return to the individual, the family, society and the state. That the rule of law would be established. That people would be safe. That there would be economic prosperity, expansion of trade and business. That employment would be created in the country. All sections of people were in such positive expectation. But more than a year on, the weight on the people’s chest is only getting heavier. Rejecting the past, everyone’s face is gloomy with the bitter taste of the new. No one can openly say whether suffering has lessened or increased. Everyone waits for an election to break free from the suffocating and stifling situation.

The interim government says the election will be held in February 2026. Yet many others say there will be no election if their conditions are not met. The Election Commission is slowly preparing. Still, it seems politics is turning dangerous. In the name of a new order, hidden players are indulging in a new game of destruction. Those who are pawns in that game are becoming bloodied. Shedding their own blood, they plunge into the spoiled game. Putting personal interest above the country, the people, and the development and prosperity of the nation, the symptoms of dangerous, destructive politics are becoming clearer by the day.

In the coming days, instead of leaving the decision of who will come to power to the people, sinister efforts have begun to determine the results even before the election. Ahead of the national election, uncomfortable situations are being created around student union elections in universities. The attack on Nurul Haque Nur, president of Gana Odhikar Parishad—was it an accident or is there something more behind it? Or a strategy to derail the election? Various post-mortems are now going on about this.

On 31 August, the Chief Adviser held a meeting with BNP, Jamaat and NCP. In that meeting, he clearly told all three parties that the election will be in February. To think otherwise is dangerous. After the meeting, BNP said they received an assurance of voting according to the roadmap. Jamaat said the election after implementation of the July Charter. NCP said there must first be a Constituent Assembly election. Meanwhile, Awami League leaders and activists hiding at home and abroad are campaigning that the election will be in 2027. They are spreading this information in various quarters with great conviction. Then the question is—if there is no alternative to an elected government for a new order free of fascism and discrimination, what is the stance of those who do not want the national election next February or are giving conditions to block it? We are fighting every day for a new order, leaving behind the old one.

Blocking roads, vandalism, mob fascism at the slightest excuse, extortion, occupation, labelling opponents as fascists—only the victims know how much is happening. There is no control anywhere. The law exists on paper, but the rule of law does not. No one is obeying anyone. Dr Muhammad Yunus has already realised that the ground beneath his feet was far firmer on 8 August 2024 than it has become in September 2025—much softer and more slippery. In such a situation, there is no alternative to an elected political government for an honourable exit of the government and the establishment of peace at all levels in the country. Some political leaders are becoming pawns in the chessboard. The recent attack on Nurul Haque Nur and the fire at the Jatiya Party office have raised many questions in the minds of politically conscious people.

Is this only tit-for-tat chasing and fighting between political activists and army-police members, or something else? Some say it is a planned incident to put forward the claim that there is no environment for elections. Others say the incident was engineered by the Jatiya Party itself. Because the Jatiya Party is now on the path to being banned. At the same time, new groupings have begun. So it is being said that if the party gets banned after such an incident, many will benefit. However, whatever the discussions and debates, if Nur had lost his life, where would the politics of the country have gone, and how much would politicians have had to pay for it—just the thought is chilling.

In a year, many kinds of political games have taken place in the country. Everyone has played as best they could. As days go by, the political players are playing increasingly spoiled games. People are fed up with these games. But now, for the sake of the country, everyone must stop playing. There must be a peaceful election. Political parties must prove their acceptability to the people. If they play spoiled, dangerous games to derail or block the election, the people will no longer sit idle. Enough is enough, now it is the people’s turn to play. At this moment in the country, alongside the registered political parties with the Election Commission, there are more than a hundred unregistered and personality-based parties. Many new political parties that have applied for registration have no office; and even if there is an office, the president’s own living-room is shown as the office address, as seen in media reports.

The Election Commission has even sent letters saying that most of them have failed to meet the basic requirements. There are many parties whose president’s name is available, but no general secretary’s name. Besides, many of the existing registered parties are political parties only in name. Except for a few, none of the registered parties has much public support. Although lacking support, the fronts of their headquarters are covered with huge signboards. Their activities are seen only when election season comes. But it is also not true that fixing the date of election will solve all problems.

There is no doubt that if conflicts in politics continue to rise, political unrest in the country will also rise. In this situation, all sides must walk in a proper and fair direction. Because without being able to walk the right path, positive politics cannot begin in the country. We hope the political parties of Bangladesh will truly work for the people. That all parties and leaders will be tolerant and restrained. That they will take initiative to establish welfare politics for the people of the country, using the experiences of past days. So that the country may run in a normal democratic course. So that no evil force in the future may rise its head. The less vengeance and mutual conflict in politics, the greater the welfare of the country and the nation.

Rayhan Ahmed Tapader: Researcher and columnist