Dhaka’s political landscape is heating up as the Awami League unleashes a scathing attack on Muhammad Yunus’s interim government. The party accuses the administration of orchestrating a sham referendum scheduled alongside February 12 elections, branding it a blatant violation of Bangladesh’s constitution and a deliberate ploy to mislead the public.
In a strongly worded statement, Awami League leaders dismissed the proposed vote on 30 undisclosed reform proposals as a ‘joke’ that will stain the nation’s constitutional history. They argue that holding such a poll without revealing details to voters undermines the very essence of democracy, leaving citizens in the dark about what they’re endorsing.
The controversy traces back to July 2024, when mass unrest toppled the elected government. Awami League claims this was no spontaneous uprising but a foreign-funded coup backed by Islamist militants and elements within the military, propelling Yunus and his advisory council into power. ‘This unelected regime is now gambling with the country’s future,’ the party fumed.
Drawing on Article 7 of the constitution, which vests all power in the people, Awami League insists true referendums demand transparency. How can voters make informed choices without knowing the reforms in question? They call the process a mockery of democratic participation, an insult to citizens’ intelligence and rights.
Critics within the party highlight the erosion of guaranteed rights to information and transparency. ‘Voters aren’t blindfolded gamblers,’ they assert, warning that this opaque maneuver erodes public trust and paves the way for authoritarian overreach. As tensions mount ahead of elections, Awami League vows to expose what it sees as a calculated deception.
The interim government’s push for reforms aims to reshape Bangladesh’s political framework, but opponents argue it’s a power grab disguised as progress. With the nation watching closely, this referendum battle could define the path to genuine democratic restoration—or deepen divisions.
