Left Democratic Alliance questions decision to hold general election in April

The Left Democratic Alliance, a front of several left-wing political parties, has questioned the timeline of the national elections announced by Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus in his address to the nation on the eve of Eid-ul-Azha.

The alliance believes the decision to hold the elections in April 2026 instead of December this year is a “desire to prolong power”, through which a party or group’s “special interests” will be allegedly protected.

In a media statement on Saturday, the leaders of the alliance criticised the chief advisor's statements on the “humanitarian corridor” and management of the Chattogram Port.

In his speech, Yunus said: “After reviewing the ongoing reform activities related to justice, reform and elections, I am also announcing to the countrymen that the next national elections will be held on a day in the first half of April 2026.”

The same night, the BNP expressed disappointment at Yunus's announcement and reiterated its demand for elections by December.

The next day, the Left Democratic Alliance said: “Although most political parties and members of the public want to see the transfer of power to the elected government by December this year or even earlier, the chief advisor has spoken of elections in April 2026.”

Considering Ramadan, exams, paddy harvesting season, and monsoon, the statement mentioned elections at that time are “not acceptable”.

Leaders of the Left Democratic Alliance say it is “entirely possible” to transfer power to an elected government within this year through necessary reforms.

They also said visible progress can be made in bringing the perpetrators of the July-August massacre to justice.

“Delaying the elections is a despicable attempt to bring the country under the influence of imperialist hegemonic powers, which can plunge the country into a long-term crisis,” the statement said.

Terming the chief advisor’s speech as “contempt for the common people”, the alliance leaders have called on everyone to “unite” before the election and against any activities that are against the country’s sovereignty, security and public interest.

Yunus has categorically dismissed reports that Bangladesh is facilitating a humanitarian corridor into Myanmar’s Rakhine State, calling them “an utter falsehood".

In a national address ahead of Eid-ul-Azha on Friday, he said UN Secretary-General António Guterres had proposed humanitarian aid access to the war-torn region during his visit to Bangladesh, but the idea never progressed beyond initial discussions.

Expressing “deep concern”, the Left Alliance statement said: “His statement on the Rakhine corridor issue clearly indicates that the process will proceed regardless of public opinion.

“The announcement made to stop protesters who hold different opinions on handing over Chattogram Port management to foreigners is in a way inciting ‘mob terrorism’.

“The people will not accept such provocations from anyone in a responsible position in the government, but rather reject them.”

The statement also confirmed that the Dhaka-Chattogram long march, announced by the Left Alliance for Jun 27 and 28 to oppose the move to manage Chattogram Port through the corridor and with foreign involvement, will go ahead as planned.