Commentary Report:

Dr. Muhammad Yunus has announced that national elections will be held in February 2026. However, since that announcement, no significant political party—except the BNP—has responded positively to his call. Allegations have repeatedly surfaced that one-third of the martyrs of the national mass uprising have been omitted from the July Declaration. More critically, the declaration has been reserved for the next government, while Dr. Yunus has gone ahead and announced an electoral roadmap without honoring the July Charter.

In reality, under public pressure, the July Charter has emerged as the foundation of national unity—demanding a new constitution and a public referendum. There is also a strong call for holding local government elections first and for freeing the Election Commission and political parties from dynastic authoritarianism. Without these reforms, a meaningful election is not possible.

Against this backdrop, the BNP stands as the only party pushing for elections while sidestepping the core reform agenda. Alarmingly, after Dr. Yunus’s recent meeting in London with Tarique Rahman, the acting chairman of the BNP, he seems to be aligning with this approach—advancing primarily BNP’s demands while ignoring others.

This raises a serious question: Is Dr. Yunus, like Sheikh Hasina, preparing for a mock election with only one party involved?

Meanwhile, Jamaat-e-Islami, the NCP, Islami Andolon Bangladesh, Hefazat-e-Islam, Khelafat Majlish, Gono Odhikar Forum, and AB Party—all have clearly stated that they will not participate in any national election unless the constitution is reformed, the July Charter is recognized, and local elections are held beforehand.

If Dr. Yunus chooses to proceed with elections involving only the BNP, ignoring the demands and interests of this broader political spectrum, then the question arises—is he truly seeking national consensus, or merely executing a divisive, one-sided roadmap influenced by personal and foreign pressures?

As a globally celebrated and respected figure, public expectations from Dr. Yunus were immense. But if he chooses to bypass the people’s demands and the blood-stained call of the martyrs in order to serve Tarique Rahman’s political ambitions, then this will mark a deeply disappointing chapter in our nation’s history.

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