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Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Bangladesh Elections: BNP Rejects Yunus' April 2026 Poll Dates, Sparks New Political Firestorm
Bangladesh's Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has announced that national elections will be held during the first half of April 2026, backing away from his earlier commitment to hold polls by June 2026. The announcement, made during his Eid-ul-Azha speech, triggered fierce backlash from the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). BNP, led by acting chairman Tarique Rahman, convened a special standing committee meeting, calling Yunus' remarks politically charged, outside his interim mandate, and deeply problematic due to the proposed timeline's overlap with Ramadan, school exams, and harsh summer conditions. BNP rejected the April plan, demanding polls by December 2025, and vowed to launch a nationwide protest campaign to 'restore the people's right to vote'—especially in light of the 2024 uprising sacrifices.#bangladeshelection #muhammadyunus #bnp #tariquerahman #april2026polls #ramadanvote #eidaddress #interimgovt #bangladeshpolitics #electiondelay #toi #toibharat #bharat #breakingnews #indianews Read More
The Print
30-05-2025
- Politics
- The Print
Rahman's ‘Bangladesh First' is meant to outshine Hasina's India love. Yunus wants to kill it
In English, the slogan translates to 'Not Delhi, not Pindi, not any other country,' ending with a line possibly borrowed from Donald Trump: 'It is Bangladesh first.' At the end of his speech, 60-year-old Rahman gave BNP supporters a mantra to take to the people while preparing for elections that he demanded must be held by December. The mantra: ' Dilli Noy, Pindi Noy, Noy onno kono desh. Sobar agey Bangladesh .' When a politician from Bangladesh who lives in self-exile in London addresses a political rally in Dhaka, what he says can only be of limited interest to India. But the slogan that the acting chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, Tarique Rahman, coined and shared with party workers at Wednesday's well-attended rally is worthy of New Delhi's attention. Nothing poetic about it—in Bangla, the lines don't rhyme or qualify as blank verse. But it packs a punch, pithily capturing sentiments that have dominated Bangladeshi politics in the past and fears about the future. In the last 15 years, one of BNP's key complaints against Sheikh Hasina of the Awami League was her proximity to New Delhi. After Hasina fled the country, the speed of Dhaka's drift towards Islamabad and Pindi (short for Rawalpindi)—political and military capitals of a nation from which Bangladesh broke away 53 years ago—has been remarkable and disconcerting for many in the country, besides India of course. Will this mantra win BNP the Bangladesh election? Well, political slogans do come with expiry dates, and what is moot is when elections will eventually be held. Even as Tarique Rahman reiterated the BNP's December deadline in Dhaka on Wednesday evening, the chief adviser of Bangladesh's interim government, Prof Muhammad Yunus, stuck to his guns and said in Tokyo—where he is visiting—that elections will definitely not be held in December, but, depending on the pace of electoral reforms, by June 2026. By then, BNP leader Tarique Rahman's freshly minted slogan may lose its shine. Also read: 1971 or 2024? A political battle in Bangladesh over when the nation found true liberation Chinese whispers December 2025 and June 2026 is a gap of just six months, and Yunus has repeated his promise of polls by next June ad nauseam. And yet, doubts about him sticking to the deadline continue to be voiced, most loudly by the BNP. Last week, the Bangladesh Army reportedly joined in. Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman is said to have told officers at a meeting on 21 May that he felt the elections should be held by December. There was no audio or video recording of this statement or a press release. What went viral, instead, after the meeting ended, were WhatsApp quotes purportedly from his speech. The messages spread so widely that Yunus reportedly told a student leader he was thinking of resigning. The student leader shared this with a major news outlet, and the interim government seemed on the verge of collapse. The way politics is playing out in Bangladesh these days, Yunus was never on record anywhere threatening to resign and then withdrawing that threat. The Army, on Monday, at least officially denied its chief had said any of the things the WhatsApp messages claimed he did. The net result of this game of Chinese whispers, as it were, was a resignation drama with political parties rushing to placate Yunus. Among the big players, the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and the National Citizen Party said they were fine with the June deadline, though a roadmap to elections would be welcome. Unspoken was the subtext that if Yunus wanted to first fully reform the electoral system and then hold elections, that was fine too. But the BNP differed. It said elections first, and whatever reforms remained pending in December would be put in place by an elected government once it came to power. Also read: Bangladeshi students who ousted Hasina set up 'National Citizen Party'. Where it stands on key issues Hasina vs Yunus On Wednesday, BNP leader Salahuddin Ahmed reminded the rally that in the past, non-partisan caretaker governments held elections within three months of an elected government completing its tenure. 'If this (Yunus) government can't give us an election in 90 days, it won't be able to give us an election in 90 years,' he said. In 2008, a caretaker government held elections that brought Hasina to power for the first time this century. But she abolished the caretaker government provision by amending the Constitution. Now, she has been using social media to vent, accusing Yunus of 'turning Bangladesh into hell.' While that may be an outburst of hyperbole, the uncertainty over what's next for Bangladesh is taking a toll, pushing the country toward a state of chaos that could rival the turbulence of the Monsoon Revolution. For the BNP or any other stakeholder banking on elections for a return to normalcy, a long wait seems on the cards. Tarique Rahman, pipped to return from his self-imposed exile in London to lead a BNP sweep of the elections, would perhaps be best advised not to buy his flight ticket yet. Monideepa Banerjie is a senior journalist based in Kolkata. She tweets @Monideepa62. Views are personal. (Edited by Prashant)
NDTV
29-05-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
"Not Dilli, Not Pindi, Bangladesh First": BNP's Regional Policy Stance
Quick Read Summary is AI generated, newsroom reviewed. Bangladesh's political tension rises as the BNP, led by Tarique Rahman, opposes Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus' foreign policy focus. BNP demands elections by December, criticising Yunus for lacking a mandate and prioritising foreign ties over national interests Bangladesh's political landscape is heating up as the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) pushes back against Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus's focus on foreign policy. The BNP, led by Acting Chairperson Tarique Rahman, is emphasising the need for elections and reforms, questioning Yunus's mandate to make long-term foreign policy decisions. BNP's Foreign Policy Stance Tarique Rahman outlined his party's vision, prioritising Bangladesh's interests above all else. He has made it clear that Bangladesh will not seek closer ties with Rawalpindi or Delhi but put Bangladesh first. "Not Dilli, Not Pindi, Bangladesh before everything," he declared at a massive rally in the Nayapaltan area of Dhaka, urging supporters to repeat the slogan. This stance diverges from Yunus's approach, which seems to favour stronger ties with Pakistan at the expense of relations with India. The ties between India and Bangladesh were not at its best when BNP was in power, but Yunus, who came in only with a limited mandate, has indicated he wants to make decisions on foreign policy matters that have a long term impact. Yunus also wants to allow a Rohingya corridor and take decisions like handing over the Chattogram Port to foreign firms. Tarique Rahman reminded Yunus and the interim government that if it wants to decide on Bangladesh's future, long term policy, it must quit and fight elections. Criticism of Yunus's Tenure The BNP has accused Yunus of overstepping his bounds, making decisions without a political mandate. Rahman emphasised that an interim government's primary assets are neutrality and credibility, which should not be compromised. 'For any interim government, neutrality and credibility are its greatest assets. These must not be squandered. Nothing should be done that erodes public trust or alienates citizens. We urge the interim administration not to view democracy loving citizens or political parties as adversaries. If anyone currently in power wishes to remain in governance, they must resign and seek a mandate through the people's vote,' Tarique Rahman told supporters at the massive rally in Dhaka highlighting how the interim government has been making excuses to extend its term. Call for Elections Critics of Muhammad Yunus have accused him of wanting to stay in power without facing elections. Yunus has only given a vague timeline of December to June when asked about elections. The BNP is demanding elections by December, criticising Yunus's vague timeline. "Ten months into its tenure, the interim administration has still not announced an election date. The people of Bangladesh deserve better. We seek a nation free from authoritarianism, led by a government elected through a fair vote, and accountable to its citizens," Tarique Rahman urged. Democratic Integrity Rahman also highlighted the importance of democratic integrity, referencing North Korea's constitution. "I often make a point that bears repeating: reforming individual mindsets is far more important than reforming texts or institutions on paper. After all, the constitution of North Korea proclaims the country to be the 'Democratic People's Republic of Korea.' The words may be there, but it is adherence, not articulation, that defines democratic integrity." BNP's Position in the Forthcoming Elections The BNP remains a major player in Bangladesh politics, particularly after the ban on the Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League. With critics accusing Yunus of wanting to stay in power without facing elections, the BNP is positioning itself as a frontrunner in the forthcoming elections.
News18
29-05-2025
- Politics
- News18
'Impatient Politicians': Yunus Sets June 2026 Deadline For Bangladesh Polls, Cites Reforms
Last Updated: Muhammad Yunus said that the potential timeline for the next national polls could be as early as December 2025 or by June 2026 at the latest. Amid escalating public and political demands for fresh elections in Bangladesh, Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus said that the nation's next general election could take place anytime between December of this year and June 2026. Bangladesh's interim government advisor, currently on an official trip to Japan, made the announcement while addressing a public gathering in Tokyo as a massive rally was held in Dhaka by the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), which called for the restoration of what they termed the 'political rights of the youth." What Muhammad Yunus Said On Elections In Bangladesh Muhammad Yunus said that the potential timeline for the next national polls could be as early as December 2025 or by June 2026 at the latest. The schedule is contingent on the progress of electoral and governance reforms his administration is undertaking, he said. Acknowledging the impatience among political factions, Muhammad Yunus, said, 'When elections take place an elected government takes over responsibility and we hand it over to them. People are insisting to tell them when the elections would be because the politicians are very impatient, to get to their seats of power. So I have been promising them for some time. It could be in December this year or at the latest June of 2026, so six months gap, depending on how fast we can do the reforms." He further elaborated on the flexibility of the timeline, saying, 'If the reforms are slow and accomplish little then we have a longer time. And the longer time cannot continue endlessly. Must finish it up by June 2026. So this is the timeline we are working on." The BNP staged large-scale rallies across multiple cities, including the capital, Dhaka, intensifying their demand for national elections to be held by December. BNP Acting Chairperson Tarique Rahman issued a stern warning to the interim government, urging them not to postpone the election timeline. Tarique Rahman took to X (formerly Twitter) to emphasize the importance of genuine democratic commitment over mere textual reforms, saying, 'I often make a point that bears repeating: reforming individual mindsets is far more important than reforming texts or institutions on paper. After all, the constitution of North Korea proclaims the country to be the 'Democratic People's Republic of Korea'. The words may be there, but it is adherence, not articulation, that defines democratic integrity," Watch India Pakistan Breaking News on CNN-News18. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from geopolitics to diplomacy and global trends. Stay informed with the latest world news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! First Published: May 29, 2025, 08:34 IST
United News of India
28-05-2025
- Politics
- United News of India
Bangladesh: Thousands of BNP youth members demonstrate in Dhaka
Dhaka, May 28 (UNI) Thousands of youth activists from three major affiliate organisations of the BNP (Bangladesh Nationalist Party)—Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD), Jubo Dal, and Swechchhasebak Dal—convened in Dhaka's Nayapaltan to hold a mass demonstration demanding the restoration of political rights for young Bangladeshis. The rally, themed 'Establishing the Political Rights of the Youth', marks the climax of an eight-day campaign spanning four divisions. The procession was kickstarted by cultural performances and recitations from the Quran, as crowds began gathering in early morning hours. Participants from Dhaka, Sylhet, Faridpur, and Mymensingh flooded the capital, parading with party flags, banners, and portraits of BNP founder and the country's former leader, President Ziaur Rahman, BNP Chairperson and former PM Khaleda Zia, and the party's Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, reports The Daily Star. A massive stage was erected opposite BNP's central office served as the rally's focal point, with loudspeakers installed across the area to reach the massive crowd. The mass political procession brought all traffic to a halt in the capital, as key intersections became rally points broadcasting speeches live from the stage. 'This is more than just a political programme,' said SM Jilani, President of Swechchhasebak Dal. 'It's a youth awakening. We expect over 1.5 million participants.' BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman was set to join virtually as chief guest, alongside senior leaders including Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Abdul Moyeen Khan, Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, and Salahuddin Ahmed. His speech is expected to outline the party's roadmap for youth political empowerment. 'Young people can no longer speak freely or vote,' said JCD leader Abu Afsan Mohammad Yahiya. 'This rally transforms our silent frustration into a united voice.' Abdul Gaffar, a Chhatra Dal activist, echoed the urgency: 'There are 3.5 crore voters aged 18 to 33. Without their right to vote, there is no democracy. We demand elections under a neutral government—and we demand it now.' The BNP's youth rally in Dhaka underscores its demand for a non-partisan interim government, amid growing feelings of political and youth disenfranchisement. This comes in the wake of the party's growing hostilities with the Yunus administration due to its lack of an election roadmap, and many of its unfulfilled promises. UNI ANV SSP
