Print: 02 Nov 2025
Crack in anti-fascist unity paves way for AL’s return: Political analysts, activists
A DU professor expresses concerns over national security, cites possible links with India, and hints at repeated rallies organised by AL men braving arrest
A demonstration during last year's anti-fascist uprising | File Photo: Collected
The parties that united last year to topple the fascist Awami League (AL) government are gradually drifting apart, while AL processions and programmes are growing across the country.
Political leaders and analysts believe divisions among anti-AL parties are creating opportunities for the AL’s return. Meanwhile, despite risks of arrest, the AL activists are holding rallies in Dhaka and elsewhere, following directions from absconding leaders through social media or phone.
Some political analysts and experts say the AL is trying to destabilise the country by exploiting disunity within the pro-July forces. They also sense that conspiracies, both domestic and foreign, may intensify.
Talking to the Daily Sun, Prof Dr Sabbir Ahmed, of political science department at Dhaka University, said, “It’s a potential ‘show of strength’ by the Awami League, possibly aimed at influencing the upcoming elections.”
He also expressed concerns over national security, cited possible links with India, and urged the home ministry to investigate.
Political parties that took part in the July uprising and ousted the Hasina government include the BNP, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, Bangladesh Jatiya Party (BJP), Biplobi Workers Party, Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB), Ganosamhati Andolon, Gono Odhikar Parishad, Islami Andolan Bangladesh, Khelafat Majlis, Bangladesh Samajtantrik Dal (Basad), Basad (Marxist), and others.
The “Anti-Discrimination Student Movement” played the key role during the uprising. Its leaders later formed the National Citizen Party (NCP).
Conflicts among anti-AL parties have grown over recent student union elections, particularly DUCSU and JUCSU polls.
Several right-leaning, religion-based parties are demanding a Proportional Representation (PR) system in national elections. BNP and some left parties oppose the idea, further widening rifts.
BNP and Jamaat leaders are now speaking openly against each other. After defeats in DUCSU and JUCSU, BNP leaders alleged attempts to erase the party from politics.
BNP’s Senior Joint Secretary Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said, “An attempt is being made to politically weaken the BNP through a planned conspiracy.” He added that such actions threaten the movement to restore democracy and people’s rights.
Meanwhile, AL insiders say the party is preparing to intensify street activities in October and November.
Since the fall of Hasina, the AL leaders and activists had largely disappeared from politics, with many arrested, in hiding, or abroad.
Their activities, however, revived in August this year.
On 31 August, over 100 AL activists, including members of banned Chhatra League, marched in Dhanmondi demanding withdrawal of cases against Hasina and others, and resignation of the Interim Government. They moved from Rapa Plaza in to Bangladesh Eye Hospital in Shankar.
On 5 September, Dhaka North AL led a procession in Tejgaon’s Nabisco area, with over 1,000 participants marching towards Tejgaon-Tibet.
The next day, 7 September, AL activists marched from Bijoy Sarani Metro Station to Khamar Bari. Police detained one person on that day.
On 12 September, hundreds of AL activists held a protest at Banglamotor, marching towards the InterContinental Dhaka. Police arrested six people and seized a bike that day.
On 13 September, AL activists marched from Betar Bhaban to Agargaon Metro Station. Police arrested two. From the rally, leaders said, “The government is harassing party leaders and activists across the country, including Sheikh Hasina, by filing false cases. The illegal government is doing whatever it wants and we have marched to protest against it.”
Meanwhile, Masud Rana, Central Coordinator of Basod (Marxist), said after the July uprising that ousted the Awami League government, right-leaning religion-based parties, formed a united front. This unity created divisions among pro-July forces, including religion-based parties, BNP-led groups, and left-leaning parties.
The country’s political arena may face more political changes ahead of the upcoming general election, he added.
The reporter can be reached at [email protected]
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Crack in anti-fascist unity paves way for AL’s return: Political analysts, activists
A DU professor expresses concerns over national security, cites possible links with India, and hints at repeated rallies organised by AL men braving arrest
A demonstration during last year's anti-fascist uprising | File Photo: Collected
The parties that united last year to topple the fascist Awami League (AL) government are gradually drifting apart, while AL processions and programmes are growing across the country.
Political leaders and analysts believe divisions among anti-AL parties are creating opportunities for the AL’s return. Meanwhile, despite risks of arrest, the AL activists are holding rallies in Dhaka and elsewhere, following directions from absconding leaders through social media or phone.
Some political analysts and experts say the AL is trying to destabilise the country by exploiting disunity within the pro-July forces. They also sense that conspiracies, both domestic and foreign, may intensify.
Talking to the Daily Sun, Prof Dr Sabbir Ahmed, of political science department at Dhaka University, said, “It’s a potential ‘show of strength’ by the Awami League, possibly aimed at influencing the upcoming elections.”
He also expressed concerns over national security, cited possible links with India, and urged the home ministry to investigate.
Political parties that took part in the July uprising and ousted the Hasina government include the BNP, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, Bangladesh Jatiya Party (BJP), Biplobi Workers Party, Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB), Ganosamhati Andolon, Gono Odhikar Parishad, Islami Andolan Bangladesh, Khelafat Majlis, Bangladesh Samajtantrik Dal (Basad), Basad (Marxist), and others.
The “Anti-Discrimination Student Movement” played the key role during the uprising. Its leaders later formed the National Citizen Party (NCP).
Conflicts among anti-AL parties have grown over recent student union elections, particularly DUCSU and JUCSU polls.
Several right-leaning, religion-based parties are demanding a Proportional Representation (PR) system in national elections. BNP and some left parties oppose the idea, further widening rifts.
BNP and Jamaat leaders are now speaking openly against each other. After defeats in DUCSU and JUCSU, BNP leaders alleged attempts to erase the party from politics.
BNP’s Senior Joint Secretary Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said, “An attempt is being made to politically weaken the BNP through a planned conspiracy.” He added that such actions threaten the movement to restore democracy and people’s rights.
Meanwhile, AL insiders say the party is preparing to intensify street activities in October and November.
Since the fall of Hasina, the AL leaders and activists had largely disappeared from politics, with many arrested, in hiding, or abroad.
Their activities, however, revived in August this year.
On 31 August, over 100 AL activists, including members of banned Chhatra League, marched in Dhanmondi demanding withdrawal of cases against Hasina and others, and resignation of the Interim Government. They moved from Rapa Plaza in to Bangladesh Eye Hospital in Shankar.
On 5 September, Dhaka North AL led a procession in Tejgaon’s Nabisco area, with over 1,000 participants marching towards Tejgaon-Tibet.
The next day, 7 September, AL activists marched from Bijoy Sarani Metro Station to Khamar Bari. Police detained one person on that day.
On 12 September, hundreds of AL activists held a protest at Banglamotor, marching towards the InterContinental Dhaka. Police arrested six people and seized a bike that day.
On 13 September, AL activists marched from Betar Bhaban to Agargaon Metro Station. Police arrested two. From the rally, leaders said, “The government is harassing party leaders and activists across the country, including Sheikh Hasina, by filing false cases. The illegal government is doing whatever it wants and we have marched to protest against it.”
Meanwhile, Masud Rana, Central Coordinator of Basod (Marxist), said after the July uprising that ousted the Awami League government, right-leaning religion-based parties, formed a united front. This unity created divisions among pro-July forces, including religion-based parties, BNP-led groups, and left-leaning parties.
The country’s political arena may face more political changes ahead of the upcoming general election, he added.
The reporter can be reached at [email protected]