General elections may be canceled in Bangladesh

New Delhi. There are signs of political instability in Bangladesh. A nationwide strike has been called in the latest developments amid protests by opposition parties and violence in Dhaka. The country’s opposition political party – Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has demanded cancellation of the January 7 general elections. Calling for a 48-hour nationwide strike on Thursday, the BNP claimed its aim was to bring Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s ruling Awami League government to power. Let us tell you that after winning, Sheikh Hasina is on the threshold of getting her fourth straight term.

BNP’s announcement comes a day after Chief Election Commissioner Qazi Habibul Awal made that statement. It said that the much-awaited general elections would be held on January 7. Following the Election Commissioner’s statement, BNP senior joint general secretary Ruhul Kabir Rizvi called for a two-day general strike from 6 am on Sunday. The party led by former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia has rejected the announcement of the election schedule. The BNP has vowed to continue protesting against the government’s decision to continue the election process. “Everyone in Bangladesh knows the results of this election,” senior party leader Abdul Moeen Khan said.

Several BNP allies, including the far-right Jamaat-e-Islami, have supported the strike call. This has forced law enforcement agencies to increase security vigil nationwide. Paramilitary forces also had to be called in to protect the highways and major cities of Bangladesh. Opposition leaders have called for a bandh for the last 18-20 days. Due to this, there is a nationwide transport blockade intermittently since October 28. Political parties disrupting supply systems are demanding the formation of a neutral government to hold elections. The protesting people are also demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Hasina.