A key leader of the Bangladesh party to the avant -garde of the revolt that overthrew the prime minister Sheikh Hasina warned on Saturday that a leadership supported by the army could replace the interim government.
Nahid Islam, leader of the National Citizens Party (NCP), composed of many students who headed the uprising that ended the 15 -year rule of Hasina’s iron pure last year, said he was concerned with a “antidemocratic” future.
Muhammad Yunus, the winner of the 84 -year -old Nobel Peace Prize led by the caregiver’s government until the elections are held, has asked that the rival political parties be pushed by power to provide all their support.
Bangladesh has a long history of coups, and the army retains a powerful role.
The Islam, an ally of Yunus that previously served in his cabinet, told reporters on Saturday that he foresaw a situation similar to January 11, 2007, when an emergency state was declared, which resulted in a two -year military government.
“There are indications that a 1/11 military style government could resurface, one that is anti -democratic and antipopular,” Islam said.
‘Should not interfere’
Bangladesh’s political crisis intensified this week when rival matches protested with competitive demands.
The army chief general, Wakeruz Zaman, said this week that the elections should be held in December, Dhaka newspapers reported, aligning with the demands of the powerful Nationalist Party of Bangladesh (BNP).
But Islam said that the role of the military was to “guarantee national security” and not get involved in politics.
“While the army is an essential institution for state security, it should not interfere with political affairs,” he said.
Yunus has said that the elections could come as soon as in December, but maintain them later, no later than in June 2026, it would allow more time for democratic reforms that say they are necessary.
The Islam said it was for those reforms that the students launched their protests last year, but that Yunus told him during a meeting on Thursday that the pressure had frustrated him.
“He assumed the position of achieving a fundamental change. People expect to see judgments, reforms and a peaceful transition of power. In current circumstances, he feels that he cannot meet those expectations,” Islam said.
“There is a real fear that the elections are not free and fair, but very restricted.”
