Finally, after the protests of 2024, Bangladesh voted on Thursday for an elected government. First, credit must be given to ‘Chief Advisor’ Mohd Yunus for abiding by his promise to hold the elections in February. It is not as though he is neutral in his stance, as his animosity towards Sheikh Hasina and the Awami League has been more than evident. In the run up to the elections he has ensured that the League is no longer a player and the contest will be between the ten party coalition led by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and the fundamentalist Jamaat-e-Islami party, along with its allies. During his tenure, Yunus has also played around with the country’s foreign policy, deliberately provoking India and ‘reviving’ ties with Pakistan. He has adopted a similar approach to the economy. Neither has worked out well and only led to embarrassment.
Major incidents of violence were reported on polling day and it is everybody’s hope that, despite the problems, the results will reflect the people’s mandate. This is important because, should the Jamaat acquire power, it will lead to a civilisational shift, much against Bengali culture and ethos. The Jamaat has already made clear its ‘Talibani’ nature by declaring it will restrict women rights and freedoms. It represents the forces that supported Pakistan during the 1971 war of liberation and has supported the recent efforts to wipe out the legacy of the freedom struggle.
The people will also be making their choices known on the July Charter referendum. This is focused on ‘constitutional reform’ but there are questions on how it would be implemented and whether it is even constitutional.
Which party or coalition comes to power will have an impact on India-Bangladesh relations. While the BNP does not exactly have a history of being positive towards India, it is expected to adopt a conservative approach. However, a Jamaat victory will lead to tensions and security issues on the border. The party comprises those who talk in terms of breaching the chicken’s neck, and taking over India’s north-eastern states. Also, its policies will lead to a severe decline in economic conditions, which will return in increased illegal immigration. With its vast border with Bangladesh, this will pose a serious problem for India. It is hoped that the Indian government has examined all these scenarios and prepared a strategy that it ‘deems fit’.
