On August 16, 2025, the political landscape of Bangladesh was once again thrust into the spotlight as senior leaders of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) delivered impassioned speeches at separate events in Dhaka, underscoring the party’s ongoing battle for democracy and their grievances against the ruling Awami League. The day’s events, marked by prayers, remembrances, and pointed accusations, drew together party faithful and reignited debates over the country’s electoral integrity and political future.
In the heart of Naya Paltan, the BNP’s youth wing, Jubo Dal, organized a special prayer gathering—known locally as a dua mahfil—on the occasion of BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia’s 81st birthday. The event, seeking prayers for Zia’s recovery and well-being, quickly took on a political tone as Salahuddin Ahmed, a member of the BNP’s standing committee, addressed the crowd. According to BSS, Ahmed did not mince words: “They are the forces against the people of Bangladesh. They may be twisting their words for one reason or another, either to delay the election, to disrupt it, or to prevent it from being held at all. But the people of Bangladesh are united.”
Ahmed’s remarks were a direct response to recent statements casting doubt over the credibility and timing of the upcoming parliamentary polls. In his view, those voicing skepticism about the elections are not acting in the interests of democracy. Instead, he argued, such voices serve to undermine the collective will of the people. “The people of Bangladesh are determined to uphold democracy and exercise their right to vote,” he said, urging that the public would resist any attempt to subvert these fundamental principles.
The BNP leader went on to call for unity among political parties, drawing a parallel to the coalition forged during Bangladesh’s past anti-fascist movements. “We must stay united so that elections can be held in a fair and peaceful manner. Let us engage in dialogue and make the path of democratic transition easier,” Ahmed implored. He emphasized that rebuilding democracy requires a transformation of existing anti-fascist unity into a forceful, positive strength capable of overcoming current divisions.
Ahmed also took a moment to praise Khaleda Zia, the party’s long-serving chairperson, describing her as a beacon of hope who has endured immense personal and political hardship. “A country with a leader like Khaleda Zia can never lose its way,” he said, highlighting her ongoing fight for democratic ideals despite her struggles. The prayer meeting, led by Jubo Dal general secretary Nurul Islam, was attended by a host of party figures, including former Dhaka north city unit convener Saiful Alam Nirab, Jubo Dal joint general secretary Rezaul Kabir, and several city-level BNP secretaries.
While the Naya Paltan event focused on unity and hope, a parallel gathering at the Jatiya Press Club saw a more combative tone. BNP Standing Committee Member Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan took center stage at a discussion and prayer session marking the anniversary of the July-August mass uprising and the fall of fascism. Dr Khan used the occasion to deliver a sharp critique of the Awami League’s record, particularly its actions during and after the so-called 1/11 period—a reference to the military-backed caretaker government that took power on January 11, 2007.
According to BSS, Dr Khan declared, “The false history that Awami League created during the 1/11 period must be unmasked...It is true that a voter list was prepared later, but the election that followed was fully controlled.” He accused the ruling party of orchestrating the 2008 parliamentary elections to ensure predetermined outcomes, claiming, “Prior to the 2008 polls, a blueprint had been made determining which candidates would win in all 300 constituencies. That is how 1/11 was orchestrated in Bangladesh.”
Dr Khan’s allegations did not stop at electoral manipulation. He painted a stark picture of the past 15 years under the Awami League, charging that the government had systematically destroyed the country’s political, moral, economic, cultural, and educational foundations. “Awami League destroyed the country from all aspects. They destroyed the education system in a planned way. During Sheikh Hasina regime, sweeping cases were filed against BNP leaders and activists. Cases were filed against nearly 50 lakh BNP leaders and activists during the period,” he stated, referencing what he described as a campaign of legal persecution against the opposition.
Turning to the future, Dr Khan addressed the much-anticipated national election, which the interim government has announced for February 2026. He expressed hope that the Election Commission would soon declare the official schedule and polling date, stating, “The interim government has announced elections in February. We expect the Election Commission to declare the schedule and announce the polling date.” Dr Khan articulated a vision of a renewed democratic Bangladesh, where, through a fair election, “a democratic country will be established where the martyrs will be honored with due dignity.”
The press club event was chaired by the organizing body’s president, Mir Sarafat Ali Sapu, and attended by senior BNP figures including Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, Assistant Publicity Secretary Asadul Karim, and Assistant Youth Affairs Secretary Mir Newaz Ali Newaz. The gathering not only commemorated a pivotal moment in Bangladesh’s political history but also served as a rallying point for those seeking change through the ballot box.
Both events, while distinct in tone and location, shared a common thread: a call for unity among opposition forces and a demand for transparent, credible elections. The BNP’s leadership, drawing on the country’s tumultuous political past, positioned themselves as guardians of democratic values in the face of what they described as systematic efforts to suppress dissent and manipulate electoral outcomes.
Yet, the road ahead is fraught with uncertainty. The BNP’s allegations of government overreach and electoral engineering are not new, but they take on fresh urgency as the nation approaches a critical vote. The ruling Awami League, for its part, has consistently denied such accusations and maintains that it has overseen a period of relative stability and economic progress. The deep mistrust between the two parties continues to shape the political climate, with each side accusing the other of undermining the nation’s democratic aspirations.
As Bangladesh prepares for its next election season, the stakes could hardly be higher. For many citizens, the question is not just who will win at the polls, but whether the process itself will be seen as legitimate and inclusive. The voices raised in Naya Paltan and the Jatiya Press Club echo a broader yearning for a political settlement that honors the sacrifices of the past while charting a more hopeful course for the future.
With the February 2026 election looming, the coming months will test the resolve of Bangladesh’s political actors—and the faith of its people in the promise of democracy.
