Political parties remain sharply divided over the proposed national referendum, a rift that experts warn may push the country into a deeper crisis. Analysts fear that the situation is becoming increasingly confrontational, raising concerns that the upcoming national election could fall apart — and even opening the door to the possibility of a military takeover.
The Consensus Commission has recommended that the government hold a referendum to implement the July Charter. It proposed that the next parliament must complete constitutional reforms within 270 days following the referendum. The government will set the date for the vote.
Although political parties broadly agree on holding a referendum, they are deeply divided over when it should take place. The NCP wants the referendum before the national election, while Jamaat-e-Islami and other faith-based parties demand it be held in November. Meanwhile, the BNP remains firm that the referendum and national election must be held on the same day.
Dr. Nurul Amin Bepari, former chairman of the Department of Political Science at Dhaka University, attributes this confrontation to a lack of trust among political actors.
“If we truly believed in the principle that the nation comes before the party, and the party before the individual, this crisis would not have reached this stage. Party interests are being placed above national interest,” he said.
Jahangirnagar University’s former government and politics department chair, Professor Dr. Dilara Chowdhury, warns that prolonged deadlock could jeopardize the entire electoral process.
“This time, the crisis threatens our very existence. Countries surrounding us have historically never supported military coups in Bangladesh,” she noted.
Experts also caution that, if the situation deteriorates further, the military may feel compelled to intervene.
“When the government fails, the military will step in to ensure the security of people’s lives and property, and the safety of the nation,” said Professor Dr. Nurul Amin Bepari.
Specialists emphasize that the Chief Adviser has a crucial role in resolving the standoff. They say meaningful dialogue among all political stakeholders is essential, and the Chief Adviser must take the lead in facilitating that process.
| Military Could Step In to Ensure Public Safety if Political Crisis Deepens
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