In a significant political development, former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has made a direct appeal to her party's supporters to completely boycott the upcoming national elections. The call was issued on Monday via an audio message that was first circulated internally among Awami League leaders before being shared publicly on the party's official social media page.
Hasina's Audio Message and the Call for Boycott
The audio clip, accessed by sources, features Hasina speaking in Bengali. Her core argument was straightforward: since the Awami League's iconic 'boat' symbol will not appear on the ballot paper and the party itself has been barred from contesting the February 12 general elections, there is no reason for its loyalists to participate in the voting process. She urged her supporters to stay away from the polls entirely.
This dramatic appeal followed a high-level virtual meeting involving key party figures, most of whom are currently operating from hiding. Sources indicate that Hasina specifically emphasized the need for her message to reach every single party supporter across Bangladesh. To achieve this grassroots penetration, she is reportedly relying on the Chhatra League, the now-banned student and youth wing of the Awami League, to disseminate the boycott call among local cadres.
The Challenge of a Leaderless Party
While Hasina's directive is clear, its execution faces monumental hurdles. The Awami League finds itself in a rudderless state, with its top leadership, along with leaders of allied Hindu organizations, forced into hiding. This has created a severe organizational vacuum, making it extremely difficult to mobilize supporters effectively on the ground.
Political experts are skeptical about the potential impact of the boycott call. Historically, the Awami League commanded a substantial 50% vote share in the country. This base consisted of a 40% Muslim support and a crucial 10% minority vote, predominantly from the Hindu community. Analysts suggest that only a marginal section of the Muslim base might heed Hasina's call, which is unlikely to significantly alter the election's outcome.
Minority Dilemma and Political Maneuvering
The situation is particularly precarious for the Hindu minority, which is now under constant scrutiny. A boycott by minorities carries the risk of a severe backlash, leaving them vulnerable. This complex scenario is pushing minority groups to explore alternative alliances for protection.
In a telling example, Gobindadeb Pramanik, the general secretary of the Bangladesh Jatiya Hindu Mahajote, filed nomination papers as an independent candidate in Hasina's own constituency of Gopalganj-3. However, his candidacy was rejected on technical grounds. Similarly, the Bangladesh Minorities Janta Party (BMJP), which filed nominations for 28 candidates, saw only 9 get cleared.
Facing this political isolation, BMJP leader Surkriti Kumar Mandal has appealed to India to broaden its political perspective beyond the Awami League. In a stark move indicative of the desperate search for security, Mandal's party is even considering an alliance with the radical Jamaat-e-Islami to ensure the protection of Hindu interests.
As Bangladesh moves closer to election day, the country's political landscape remains fractured. With its top leadership in hiding, the Awami League is attempting to influence events from the shadows. The success of Sheikh Hasina's boycott strategy, however, hangs in the balance, caught between a suppressed party machinery and the harsh realities of a high-stakes electoral battle.
