Dhaka — Prominent political analyst and talk show host Zillur Rahman has said that Bangladesh’s political landscape is passing through a phase of “unusual tension and confusion.” After the fall of a long-standing autocratic rule, people had expected stability and relief, but the reality, he said, is “entirely different.”
In a recent video on his YouTube channel, Zillur Rahman observed that the upcoming national election, expected early next year, has become a source of political uncertainty, conflict, and unrest. Questions are being raised over the role of the interim government, while political parties are locking horns over strategic positions — making the path to a democratic future increasingly uncertain.
He identified the introduction of a proportional representation system as one of the most divisive issues in current political debates. “Parties are prioritizing their own interests rather than focusing on what’s best for the country,” Zillur said, adding that such a system cannot be implemented without constitutional amendments — something the interim government lacks a mandate to undertake.
According to him, the interim authorities have been sending “mixed signals,” at times hinting at major reforms and at other times backing away, thereby deepening the confusion. “Ordinary citizens no longer understand what is going on. The government insists elections will be held in the first half of February, but contradictory statements continue to fuel uncertainty,” he remarked.
Zillur Rahman also warned of a deteriorating law and order situation, particularly pointing to recent incidents of violence, sexual assault, and arson in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, which have sparked fear and anxiety among the public.
