Bangladesh Army Chief General Waqar-uz-Zaman is now seen leaning towards radical Islamic parties. These include parties like Jamaat-e-Islami, Islami Andolan Bangladesh, Khilafat Majlis, Muttahide Majlis-e-Amal, and Tanjimul Ulema. All of them are emerging as a radical alliance and are unitedly demanding a proportional representation system (seat distribution based on vote percentage). They have warned that if this demand is not accepted, they will boycott the elections. The main opposition party Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is facing internal challenges. The party has not been able to decide the candidate till now and due to many claimants on every seat, the contradictions are deepening. In such a situation, the party is considering the possible return of leader Tariq Rahman as the last hope to recover from the crisis. There are differences within the BNP itself regarding the proposed electoral system. The National Consensus Commission and the Constitution Reform Commission under the leadership of the Chief Advisor have recommended a two-house parliament. There will be 400 seats in the lower house and elections will be held as before on the first past the post system. There will be 100 seats in the upper house, which will be decided on the basis of the percentage of votes received by the parties in the lower house elections. The hardliners’ alliance agrees on this, but BNP disagrees on these 3 issues. 1. Differences on the election system Hardliners: They are demanding a proportional representation system, in which the percentage of votes a party gets in the lower house elections, the same percentage of seats it gets in the upper house. BNP: Opposes this system. The party wants that the allocation of seats in the upper house should be on the lines of women’s reserved seats, that is, in proportion to the party’s victory in the lower house, and not on the basis of vote percentage. 2. Politics of strategic pressure Hardliners: To get the proportional representation system implemented, they are threatening to boycott the elections by uniting so that pressure can be created on BNP. BNP: Politics of pressure is not acceptable, this is blackmailing. 3. Conflict over the timing of elections Radicals: Not ready for elections by February 2026. They want to make the election process consultation-based. BNP: BNP has agreed in principle to hold elections in February 2026, they are maintaining pressure for it. BNP leader Tariq may return to Bangladesh It is a matter of relief for BNP that the party’s acting chairman Tariq Rahman may return to Bangladesh in July or August. This will end the period of political uncertainty of the party. BNP has made preparations to make his return historic. A new house is also being decorated near the Firoza bungalow of BNP chief Khaleda Zia in Gulshan. It is believed that Tariq can live in it with his family. Hearing on Hasina for crimes against humanity will begin from August 3 A case of crimes against humanity is being run against former PM Sheikh Hasina. Former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan and Police Chief Abdullah Al Mamun have also been accused along with her. All of them are accused of murder and atrocities to suppress the student movement in 2024. Mamun has accepted the charges. The hearing of this case will begin from August 3, 2025. Let us tell you that Hasina left the country last year (on August 5, 2024). ——————————————— Also read this news related to Bangladesh… Bangladesh is becoming a safe haven for Kuki militants: One thousand militants trained for guerrilla warfare; 30 thousand uniforms recovered Bangladesh is becoming a safe haven for Kuki militants. For the past few months, there has been an increase in the activities of the banned terrorist organization Kuki Chin National Front (KNF) here. Meanwhile, a big conspiracy of KNF was exposed in Chittagong. Read the full news here…
