Bangladesh’s political field is bracing for a potentially heated December following former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s announcement of a possible return.
The ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is moving to keep the situation under control both administratively and politically, while Jamaat-e-Islami has called on its ranks to mobilise with full force.
BNP Plans Street Programmes
BNP wants to prevent any sabotage or instability linked to Hasina’s statement. Party sources say the organisation intends to keep leaders and activists busy throughout December with meetings, processions, rallies and neighbourhood-level programmes.
formal announcement of the schedule is expected soon.
BNP Chairman and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman recently directed party MPs in every constituency to remain active in their areas. Sources indicate the party is also preparing simultaneous allies and, if necessary, will seek cooperation from other anti-fascist political parties to maintain stability.
At the same time, the party has made clear it will not spare those who try to create unrest.
Administration is expected to take a hard line against any activities by the banned Awami League. Operations against individuals linked to sabotage in neighbourhoods have already begun, with BNP providing information to authorities. The party says it is ready to confront “evil forces” politically on the streets if required.
Acting Secretary General and the Prime Minister’s political adviser Ruhul Kabir Rizvi stated that fresh attempts to damage the democratic environment and create instability are resurfacing. He warned that any planned sabotage would be resisted by the public and that conspiracies lacking popular support cannot succeed.
Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed told a BNP parliamentary party meeting that if Hasina seeks to return, the government will take necessary steps under the existing Bangladesh-India extradition treaty. Tarique Rahman instructed MPs to stay on the streets, saying the party’s position is “loud and clear”: all conspiracies must be confronted on the roads.
Hasina’s Announcement Seen as ‘Political Stunt’
Multiple sources within the government and opposition say BNP views Hasina’s return declaration as political theatre. Party leaders believe she is unlikely to come back while a death sentence hangs over her; they see the statement mainly as an attempt by the banned Awami League to energise its supporters and heat up the field. Nonetheless, BNP is not dismissing the possibility entirely and is preparing contingency measures.
In parliament, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed urged all sides—ruling party, opposition and parties outside parliament—to preserve the national unity forged during the anti-Awami fascist democratic movement. He called for unity to sustain the democratic process and counter conspiracies by fallen fascist forces. Jamaat-e-Islami Amir Dr Shafiqur Rahman welcomed the appeal but added that if the government fails to suppress the activities of fascist forces, the opposition will not remain passive and will act according to its own position.
BNP Joint Secretary General Habib Un Nabi Khan Sohel told Bangla Tribune that controlling sabotage on the streets is primarily the administration’s responsibility, yet political resistance against “genocide perpetrators” is also essential. Asked whether the party would specifically seek the opposition’s help, he replied that there was no need to request it: “They are also part of the July force. Confronting evil forces is their responsibility too.”
On 9 November, Rizvi held a meeting with joint secretaries, organisational secretaries and senior Dhaka leaders to discuss programmes for the entire month of December, including those linked to Victory Day. The final calendar is expected after a meeting with Tarique Rahman.
Jamaat Calls for Full Mobilisation
Separately, Jamaat-e-Islami Amir Dr Shafiqur Rahman has urged party leaders and workers to throw themselves fully into December activities to energise organisational programmes. Speaking on 14 November at an upazila representatives’ conference at the Engineers Institution in Dhaka, he criticised the current government for eroding public trust and said several “signs of fascism” are visible within it. He recalled that the nation has repeatedly suffered at the hands of evil forces yet has always recovered by defeating them.
Dr Shafiqur Rahman also claimed the government has moved away from the path of state reform despite public expectations raised by the July uprising. He instructed party activists to stay alert and build strength to prevent “engineering” in upcoming local government elections, and alleged that a serious conspiracy is underway in the education sector, with vice-chancellors and principals being imposed by force.