DHAKA: As Bangladesh gears up for its elections, the campaign has reached its final day ahead of the voting set for February 12. Major political parties are rallying supporters by recalling the 2024 uprising that brought down Sheikh Hasina’s long-standing rule.
In recent weeks, Dhaka has seen thousands of enthusiastic supporters attending rallies as parties strive to connect with the public and present their visions for a better future in the nation of 170 million.
The upcoming parliamentary elections have the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), led by Tarique Rahman, as a leading contender. Rahman returned to the country in December after spending 17 years in exile. On Sunday, he led a vibrant rally in the Mirpur area, marking the constituency of his main rival, Shafiqur Rahman from Jamaat-e-Islami.
“I could talk endlessly about him, but what truly matters is improving the lives of the people of Bangladesh,” Rahman told the crowd, while supporters waved flags emblazoned with the BNP’s symbol—a sheaf of rice.
The rally was closely monitored by armed police and drones, ensuring a secure environment for Rahman as he endorsed local BNP candidate Shafiqul Islam Milton. “Help him win, and he will look after you once elected,” Rahman urged the crowd.
This election is particularly significant as Hasina’s Awami League cannot participate due to a ban implemented by the interim government, a decision that has drawn criticism from human rights organizations.
In a nearby rally, Shafiqur Rahman addressed supporters in the Dhaka-11 constituency, a focal point during the 2024 uprising that ended Hasina’s 15-year rule. He accused the previous government of severe repression but warned that the new leadership was also engaging in corruption.
“Once the dust settled, some who were oppressed quickly turned into oppressors,” he claimed, highlighting issues like extortion and the discontent of everyday people.
Jamaat, which has long been aligned with the Muslim Brotherhood, is striving to re-enter politics after years of restrictions. They have partnered with the National Citizen Party (NCP), formed by student leaders from the uprising. NCP leader Nahid Islam criticized the major political parties for allegedly sharing in corrupt practices. “If you elect me, I promise to work for the betterment of the community,” he said.
Rally supporters echoed the chants of the uprising, shouting, “Long live the revolution!” One 65-year-old man named Mohammed Harun expressed his hope for a corruption-free future, stating he hadn’t voted in 17 years. Meanwhile, Fatema Begum, a 40-year-old housewife, expressed her desire for a country where people could live freely and speak openly.
Sheikh Hasina, now 78, remains in hiding in India. In November, she was sentenced to death in absentia for crimes against humanity related to her government’s crackdown on protesters during her attempt to maintain power.
