Mahfuz Alam, a key adviser to the interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, announced on Saturday that the Awami League, the party of deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, would be barred from participating in the upcoming general elections. Speaking at a rally in Chandpur, Alam, a prominent figure in the Anti-Discrimination Movement, justified the decision, stating, “The elections will be contested only by pro-Bangladesh groups.”
The announcement comes amid a politically volatile environment following the ousting of Sheikh Hasina’s government in August 2024. The Awami League has been effectively sidelined since, with many of its leaders, including Hasina’s cabinet members, either imprisoned on serious charges or in hiding. Alam further emphasized that former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia’s Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Jamaat-e-Islam, and other “pro-Bangladesh” factions would be allowed to participate in the political process. “Awami League’s rehabilitation will not be allowed in this country,” Alam declared.
A Controversial Figure
Alam, often described as the “mastermind” behind the student-led protests that forced Hasina into exile, is no stranger to controversy. Initially appointed as a special assistant in Yunus’s interim government, Alam later became an influential adviser. At a UN General Assembly function last year, Yunus referred to him as the architect of the protests that toppled Hasina’s regime.
However, Alam’s rhetoric has drawn criticism both domestically and internationally. In a now-deleted Facebook post, he stirred outrage by claiming that parts of India, including West Bengal, Assam, and Tripura, rightfully belong to Bangladesh. On Vijay Diwas, commemorating the 1971 Liberation War, Alam shared a map depicting these Indian territories as part of Bangladesh, arguing that the region shares cultural and historical ties with his country. He further accused India of pursuing “control and colonization” over its eastern neighbors, calling for a repeat of the uprisings of 1975 and 2024 to ensure true independence.
A Divisive Political Landscape
The BNP, while critical of the interim government, has expressed reservations about banning any political party, including the Awami League. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has emphasized the need for elections to be held promptly, arguing against the prolonged rule of an unelected government. “Reforms are a continuous process and should not be used as a pretext for delaying democracy,” Alamgir stated.
Speculation is also mounting about the formation of a new youth-led political party comprising leaders of the Anti-Discrimination Movement. Some members of the interim government, including Local Government and Youth Adviser Asif Mahmud Sajeeb Bhuiyan and Information Affairs Adviser Nahid Islam, have hinted at their willingness to resign and contest future elections under such a banner.
The Path Ahead
Chief Adviser Yunus has suggested that the next general election could take place by late 2025 or early 2026, contingent on political consensus and the completion of necessary reforms. However, the exclusion of the Awami League from the electoral process has raised concerns about the fairness and inclusivity of the proposed democratic framework.
Manbilas Singh is a talented writer and journalist who focuses on the finer details in every story and values integrity above everything. A self-proclaimed sleuth, he strives to expose the fine print behind seemingly mundane activities and aims to uncover the truth that is hidden from the general public. In his time away from work, he is a music aficionado and a nerd who revels in video & board games, books and Formula 1.
Comments