This election in Bangladesh follows a 2024 student uprising, but the political party formed by the uprising’s leaders has struggled to gain support, leading to a controversial alliance. Despite efforts to present themselves as a party of change, a long-established party may be poised to form a new government.
Generational Change in Bangladesh?
The election could not have occurred without the 2024 student uprising. However, the National Citizen Party (NCP), formed by figures from that uprising, faced difficulties in attracting voters.
The NCP was compelled to form a controversial alliance with Jamaat-e-Islami, the Islamist party currently polling in second place. Dozens of members resigned from the NCP in protest, viewing the alliance as a betrayal of the party’s original goals.
Now, the country may see another long-established party winning and forming a new government. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) experienced politically motivated arrests of its members under Sheikh Hasina, according to independent human rights groups.
Tarique Rahman, the head of the BNP and potential future prime minister, spent 17 years in self-imposed exile. The BNP was founded in the 1970s and represents a political dynasty.
While the BNP doesn’t fully represent change, they have worked to convince voters that they do.
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