Yunus regime’s nervousness shows its growing fear of Awami League’s resurgence in Bangladesh’s politics: Report
Dhaka, Nov 16 – A government‑driven lockdown in Dhaka has shown that many Bangladeshis are tired of the current interim government’s rule and are rallying behind the Awami League.
The Awami League said the lockdown forced people to stay home, limiting bus and train traffic. Residents say the move proved the public was ready to push back against the authority that was replaced in 2011.
On the same day, Muhammad Yunus – the chief adviser of the interim administration – announced a plan for a public referendum on the July Charter and to hold general elections in February next year. That proposal, however, comes as many voters already feel disillusioned with what they see as “illegitimacy” and continued misrule.
The lockdown also drew sharp reactions from the opposition. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party, Jamaat‑e‑Islami, and other parties that hoped to benefit from a new power split were shocked by the public’s enthusiastic response to the restrictions.
NorthEast News reported that the interim regime says the court decision on Sheikh Hasina’s pending cases will be announced on November 17. Yet voters believe that the verdict is already clear, as the government’s statements have hinted at extreme outcomes.
According to the report, “Sheikh Hasina could face a death sentence. But that threat from an illegal court, run by an illegal regime, hardly matters where public support for her remains strong, even beyond Awami League supporters.” The government’s anxiety, the report says, shows it is afraid of an Awami League resurgence.
The lockdown’s impact goes beyond immediate protest. If the Awami League can match that level of support again, many citizens may view some or all of the upcoming February vote as a farce—especially if the government keeps the biggest party out of the process. A large boycott could push the government to ask for fresh elections under a caretaker system.
Internationally, lawyers in the UK have filed complaints with human‑rights bodies, accusing the interim regime of abuse against Awami League activists. Foreign lawmakers have publicly condemned the government’s tactics.
In short, Bangladesh’s political scene is at a crossroads. The lockdown showed a powerful wave of public sentiment against the current administration, while the Awami League and Sheikh Hasina look poised to leverage that momentum in upcoming elections.
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