The country is burning, there is blood on the streets… but Yunus can only see elections, Chief Advisor is adamant on the date of 12th February.

Bangladesh is in deep trouble at this time Political tension and violence Is going through a phase of. After the assassination of Sharif Usman Hadi, the leader of the 2024 mass uprising, violent demonstrations, vandalism and communal incidents have come to light in many parts of the country. In such a situation, the biggest question arising is whether it will be possible to hold general elections on time or not.

In this background, Chief Advisor of the interim government, Muhammad Yunus has given a clear message to America that no matter how challenging the situation is, the general elections will be held on time on February 12. He gave this assurance at a time when the country is facing serious challenges of violence, political killings and law and order.

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elections will be held on time

On Monday, in a phone conversation with America’s Special Envoy for South and Central Asia Sergio Gor, Muhammad Yunus bluntly said that general elections in Bangladesh will be held on February 12 only. He said that the people of the country are desperate to exercise their right to vote, which was earlier snatched away during the “dictatorial regime”.

‘Stolen votes’ and allegations against Sheikh Hasina

In this conversation, Yunus made a sharp attack on the rule of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. He said that the previous government had crushed democratic rights. Also alleged that Hasina’s supporters are still spending millions of dollars to derail the election process and their absconding leader is trying to incite violence.

50 days left, want to make the elections historic

The Chief Advisor said, “We have about 50 days till the elections. We want to conduct a free, fair and peaceful elections and make it memorable.” He also assured that the interim government is fully prepared to deal with any conspiracy or violence.

Osman Hadi’s assassination and nationwide outrage

The murder of Sharif Usman Hadi was also discussed in the phone call. Hadi was shot by unknown assailants in Dhaka on 12 December and died in a hospital in Singapore on 18 December. Hadi was also a candidate in the February 12 elections. The huge funerals and demonstrations that took place after his death have put immense pressure on the government.

Threat of election boycott and increasing tension

Hadi’s supporters have warned that if justice is not provided before the elections, they will derail the February 12 elections. After this, vandalism, arson and violent demonstrations took place in media offices across the country, due to which the situation worsened.

Incidents of violence and communal tension

After Hadi’s death, 32 Dhanmondi area of ​​Dhaka, where the house of Bangladesh’s founder Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was located, was vandalized. Stones were pelted at the residence of the Indian Assistant High Commissioner in Chittagong. At the same time, the incident of lynching of a Hindu youth named Dipu Chandra Das by a mob and burning of his body in Baluka, Mymensingh, increased international concern.

Attack on another student leader

Political violence did not stop here. On December 22, National Citizen Party (NCP) student leader and Khulna division chief Motaleb Shikhdar was shot in the south-western city of Khulna. This made it clear that the assassination of Osman Hadi is not an isolated incident, but a part of wider instability.

US–Bangladesh relations and election stakes

In this phone conversation that lasted for about half an hour, Yunus and Sergio Gore apart from the elections, also discussed trade, tariffs and democratic transition. Gore congratulated Yunus on Bangladesh’s success in recent tariff talks in reducing US tariffs to 20%. Commerce Advisor Sheikh Bashiruddin, National Security Advisor Dr. Khalilur Rehman and SDG Coordinator Lamia Morshed were also present in the meeting. Overall, Bangladesh stands at a turning point, where on one hand there is violence and anarchy, while on the other hand the interim government is trying to assure the international community that the return of democracy will happen on time, no matter how big the challenges are.