A major national crisis averted, but what’s next?
We are relieved that the chief adviser has not followed through on his desire to resign. All major political parties have reaffirmed their support to the chief adviser and expressed that they do not want him to step down. Thankfully, a national crisis has been averted.
At the same time, we are wondering what else, other than the chief adviser's decision to resign being reversed, has been achieved. We are waiting, for instance, to hear the chief adviser and his cabinet's response regarding the issues of contention brought forward by the BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, and NCP. BNP has said it has placed its demands, and the chief adviser has listened. But the issues have not been resolved. The party reiterated its demand for a general election to be held by December this year and the resignation of two student representatives in the advisory council as well as the CA's national security adviser. Jamaat has demanded a timeline for the election and another for reforms and trials of Awami League leaders for their alleged role in mass killings during the July uprising. Meanwhile, the NCP has demanded reconstitution of the Election Commission, local government polls before the general election, and roadmaps to July killing trials, political reforms, and plans for parliamentary and constituent assembly polls. It also added another demand: that all national and local elections during the Sheikh Hasina regime be declared "invalid."
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Thus, we are back to square one, with no visible consensus between the government and the political parties. Meanwhile, protests and lockdowns continue. Yesterday, employees of the Bangladesh Secretariat staged demonstrations inside the office premises protesting the government's initiative to amend the Government Service Act, 2018 by introducing stricter penalties. The Dhaka South Nagar Bhaban has again been padlocked by protesters who demand BNP leader Ishraque Hossain to be sworn in as the mayor following a court verdict. The NBR is in deep crisis with disgruntled employees continuing to protest, demanding the chairman's removal and the repeal of a new ordinance that splits the tax authority. Customs clearance and business operations have been hampered due to the protests. The result has been total chaos and disruption in regular public services and businesses, as well as paralysis of the city.
But, ultimately, the interim government and its chief are responsible for maintaining stability—both within the country and within the government. It must find ways to negotiate with all the political and non-political stakeholders and come to some points of convergence. The government has identified three main priorities: election, reform, and trial (of the accused in the July uprising killings). But in order to allay all uncertainties and curb the barrage of constant protests, the interim government must provide clarity regarding an election roadmap and the reforms it is undertaking.
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