Freedom fighter and suspended BNP leader Advocate Fazlur Rahman has accused Dr. Muhammad Yunus, chief of the illegitimate interim government, of attempting to defer or derail the national elections slated for February 2026.
In a video interview with journalist Masood Kamal, Rahman alleged that Yunus is using Jamaat-e-Islami and the National Citizen Party (NCP) as tools to manipulate the electoral process, branding him a “new dictator” who is undermining Bangladesh’s democratic framework.
Rahman, a former BNP lawmaker and Supreme Court lawyer, expressed scepticism about the possibility of a free and fair election under Yunus’ administration. “I cannot believe a national election will happen in February,” he said, citing various “pretexts” used by the government to delay the process.
He accused Yunus of aligning with three political entitiesโBNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, and NCPโwhich he described as “vehicles of the government” controlled by Yunus to serve his interests.
Jamaatโs Apology and Role in Politics
Rahman sharply criticised Jamaat-e-Islami, particularly its Ameer Shafiqur Rahman’s recent apology for actions since 1947. He dismissed it as “village trickery” and insufficient without a clear acknowledgement of Jamaatโs role in opposing Bangladeshโs 1971 Liberation War.
“They must admit their involvement in genocide and crimes during the war,” Rahman stated, referencing Jamaatโs collaboration with Pakistani forces through groups like Razakar, Al Badr, and Al Shams. He accused Jamaat of currently controlling key sectors, including politics, judiciary, and the economy, and manipulating institutions like the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) to target freedom fighters.
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Rahman also questioned the legitimacy of NCP, stating that it lacks public recognition as a political party and is being used for conspiracies. He claimed that Yunusโ government is prioritising Jamaat and NCPโs demands, such as holding a referendum on the “July Charter” before elections, which he believes is a move to undermine the 1972 Constitution.
“This referendum will prove the governmentโs illegitimacy,” he asserted, predicting that less than 5% of voters would participate in such a process.
Concerns Over Electoral Manipulation
Rahman highlighted a meeting between Yunus and BNP leaders, including Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, and Salauddin Ahmed, who demanded a neutral caretaker government and the removal of certain ministers. However, he alleged that Yunus dismissed these demands, asserting sole control over the electoral process. “He says, โTrust me, I will do everything.โ This is a new kind of dictatorship,” Rahman remarked.
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He further accused Yunus of consolidating power by appropriating the Election Commissionโs authority and enacting new laws without constitutional backing. Rahman warned that any election under these conditions would be a “broken election,” similar to those in 2014, 2018, and 2024, and would fail to reflect the peopleโs true verdict. He predicted low voter turnout, likening the process to a “friendly match” between aligned political forces.
Call to Protect Liberation War Legacy
Emphasising the need to safeguard Bangladeshโs Liberation War legacy, Rahman urged the nation to uphold the 1972 Constitution, rooted in democracy, socialism, secularism, and nationalism. He called on BNP to align with the spirit of the Liberation War and warned that failure to do so could lead to the rise of new political forces. “If we donโt save the Liberation War, the Bengali nation will be subjugated again,” he cautioned, highlighting the threat posed by communal and anti-liberation forces.
Rahman concluded by stressing the importance of a unified national identity. “Parties may come and go, but the Bengali nation must endure. We fought for this state, and we must protect it,” he said, appealing to the younger generation to champion the values of the Liberation War.
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