Editorial 1: ​Hold the centre

Context

Bangladesh needs a leader capable of restraining extremist forces and preserving stability.

Introduction

Bangladesh stands at a critical political crossroads following the death of Khaleda Zia, a leader who shaped its democratic struggle and partisan rivalry for decades. As the nation prepares for elections, it confronts leadership transitions, institutional fragility, and rising political uncertainty, making this moment decisive for restoring stability, pluralism, and public trust.

End of an Era in Bangladesh Politics

• The death of Khaleda Zia, Bangladesh’s first woman Prime Minister, marks the close of a defining chapter in the country’s turbulent political history.
• Entering politics after the assassination of her husband, Gen. Ziaur Rahman, she became central to the 1990 movement that ended military rule.
• Her early alliance and later rivalry with Sheikh Hasina — famously called the “Battle of the Begums” — shaped national politics for decades.
• With Zia’s passing and Hasina’s 2024 ouster and exile, Bangladesh stands at the threshold of a generational political transition ahead of the February 2026 elections.

BNP’s Leadership Test and Tarique Rahman’s Challenge

• Tarique Rahman, Zia’s son and acting chief of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), has returned after 17 years in exile.
• His immediate challenge is party unity, bridging internal factions and projecting an inclusive political vision.
• While his Dhaka rally stressed reconciliation over revenge, the BNP’s history of violence and the country’s current instability raise doubts about rapid recovery.
• The BNP’s credibility will be crucial in determining whether it can anchor the political centre.

Interim Government and Deepening Instability

• The interim administration under Muhammad Yunus has struggled to restore law and order.
• Mob violence, including the lynching of a Hindu youth and attacks on media offices, highlights a worsening security environment.
• Reports of renewed activity by banned extremist groups have further heightened internal security concerns.
• The ban on the Awami League from political activity has cast a shadow over the legitimacy of the upcoming elections.

Rise of Islamism and the Uncertain Road Ahead

• New political forces, such as the National Citizen Party, have aligned with Jamaat-e-Islami, signalling a potential ideological shift.
• Jamaat’s historical role during 1971 makes its possible rise a serious challenge to Bangladesh’s secular constitutional order.
• The country urgently needs leadership that can restore trust, reinforce institutions, and contain fundamentalism.
• Whether Tarique Rahman and the BNP can rebuild stability and reclaim the political centre will decisively shape Bangladesh’s near future.

Conclusion

Bangladesh’s immediate future depends on whether its leaders can break the cycle of chaos, violence, and polarisation. Rebuilding the political centre, restoring law and order, and keeping extremism at bay are essential. The ability of emerging leadership to act with restraint, inclusivity, and responsibility will determine the strength of the country’s democratic trajectory.