Hold the centre: On the road ahead for Bangladesh

The death of Khaleda Zia, Bangladesh’s first woman Prime Minister, on December 30, closes one of the most consequential chapters in the South Asian country’s turbulent political history. Zia, who entered politics after her husband, Gen. Ziaur Rahman, was assassinated in 1981, played a pivotal role in ending the military dictatorship in 1990. She initially joined hands with Awami League leader Sheikh Hasina in the struggle to restore democracy, but their subsequent feud, the ‘Battle of the Begums’, came to define Bangladesh’s politics for decades. With Zia’s passing and Ms. Hasina, deposed in an uprising in 2024 and now in exile in India, Bangladesh is poised for a generational shift as it prepares to hold elections on February 12, 2026. But this transition is unfolding amid chaos and uncertainty. Tarique Rahman, Zia’s 60-year-old son and the acting chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), returned after over 17 years of self-imposed exile. His immediate task is to unify the party’s fractious factions and articulate an inclusive vision for the electorate. In a massive rally in Dhaka, he avoided the language of vendetta and stressed unity and inclusivity, but the BNP’s violent past and Bangladesh’s present instability cast a doubt on the prospects of any swift turnaround in the country’s fortunes.

The interim government led by Muhammad Yunus has struggled to restore stability. Mobs continue to rule the streets, as evidenced by a recent lynching of a Hindu youth and arson attacks on two newspaper offices. Local reports also suggest that operatives of the banned Jama’atul Mujahideen Bangladesh may be becoming active again, heightening security risks. Mr. Yunus has also banned the Awami League, one of the country’s two largest parties, from political activity — this renders the legitimacy of the election deeply contentious. The BNP is the other major force but its leaders and operatives have been accused of extortion rackets and political violence. The National Citizen Party, which emerged from the 2024 student uprising, promising a break with traditional politics, has formed an electoral alliance with the Islamist Jamaat-e-Islami. If the Jamaat, which sided with the genocidal Pakistani military in 1971, emerges as a major political player or a power broker after the elections, it would mark a seismic shift, with uncertain implications for Bangladesh’s secular constitutional order. What Bangladesh needs is a leader who can break the cycle of chaos, rebuild public trust, restore law and order and keep fundamentalist groups at bay. The responsibility for rebuilding the centre of Bangladesh’s political spectrum rests largely with Tarique Rahman and the BNP. Whether he can shoulder that burden effectively will shape the country’s near future.

Overall Analysis

The editorial assesses Bangladesh’s political crossroads following the death of Khaleda Zia, portraying it as the end of a defining era and the beginning of an uncertain transition. The opening paragraph situates Zia historically, emphasizing her role in ending military rule and shaping democratic politics. By recalling the long-standing rivalry between Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina, the author highlights how personalized power struggles have dominated Bangladesh’s political life for decades.

The focus then shifts to the present, where the country faces a leadership vacuum amid instability. The return of Tarique Rahman from exile is presented as symbolically important but fraught with challenges. The author acknowledges Rahman’s conciliatory rhetoric but tempers optimism by recalling the BNP’s history of violence and the prevailing disorder in the country. The language here is measured and cautious, reflecting skepticism about any rapid political recovery.

The second paragraph deepens the sense of crisis by detailing the failures of the interim government under Muhammad Yunus. Incidents of mob violence, attacks on minorities, and the possible resurgence of extremist groups are cited to underline the erosion of law and order. The ban on the Awami League is described as particularly damaging, casting doubt on the legitimacy of the forthcoming elections. The editorial reinforces its argument by presenting a fragmented political landscape where all major actors carry credibility deficits.

In its concluding assessment, the editorial warns of the dangers posed by the potential rise of Islamist forces, especially Jamaat-e-Islami, framing it as a threat to Bangladesh’s secular constitutional foundations. The central argument is that Bangladesh urgently needs leadership capable of restoring balance, legality, and moderation. The author places this responsibility squarely on Tarique Rahman and the BNP, arguing that their ability—or failure—to “hold the centre” will decisively shape the nation’s political future.

Important Vocabulary (5)

1. Pivotal – critically important in determining the outcome of events.
2. Fractious – marked by internal conflict or disagreement.
3. Contentious – likely to cause disagreement or controversy.
4. Seismic – having profound and far-reaching consequences.
5. At bay – kept under control or prevented from advancing.

Conclusion & Tone

The editorial concludes that Bangladesh stands at a fragile moment where the absence of centrist, stabilizing leadership could deepen chaos and empower extremist forces. It stresses that rebuilding political moderation and public trust is essential for safeguarding democracy and secularism.

Tone: Cautiously critical, analytical, and warning in nature.