Shafiqul Alam urges political parties to adopt a strong stance against the Awami League

Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam has called on all political parties to take a strong and united stand against the “fallen fascist” Awami League, warning that its recent actions pose an “existential threat” to Bangladesh’s democratic future.

“It’s time for every political party to make its position clear on Sheikh Hasina and the Awami League. The way she continues to speak—calling those who took part in the July Uprising ‘terrorists’—is extremely alarming,” Shafiqul said.

He made the remarks while speaking at a policy dialogue organized by TRACE Consulting on how political parties can leverage technology to better reflect citizens’ aspirations in their election manifestos. The event was held at the Hotel InterContinental in Dhaka.

The discussion was also attended by BNP Standing Committee Member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, Jamaat-e-Islami Assistant Secretary General A.H.M. Hamidur Rahman Azad, Biplobi Workers Party General Secretary Saiful Haque, TRACE CEO Fuad M Khalid Hossain, BKMEA President Mohammad Hatem, and DUCSU Vice President Sadik Kayem, among others.

Criticizing Sheikh Hasina’s recent remarks to international media, Shafiqul said, “Her rhetoric labeling the people of Bangladesh as terrorists is a dangerous political signal. When you call people terrorists, you dehumanize them. Is she trying to return to power by declaring 180 million citizens as her enemies?”

Referring to journalist Enayetullah Khan’s writings, he added, “Khan once wrote that Sheikh Mujibur Rahman made 65 million collaborators; now his daughter is branding 180 million people as terrorists. It’s beyond comprehension.”

Shafiqul said Bangladesh is facing an existential political crisis and urged all parties to unite in defense of democracy.

On the upcoming national election, he reiterated, “The government is fully committed to holding the election in the first half of February. There should be no doubt about that.”

He described the debates surrounding governance and the July Charter as signs of a vibrant democracy, noting that “constitutional discussions everywhere take time—sometimes decades. Consensus cannot be forced overnight.”

“If political parties fail to reach an understanding, the Interim Government will act within its constitutional mandate to ensure the election process proceeds without uncertainty,” he added.

Shafiqul stressed that Bangladesh’s “fractured political environment” requires an inclusive democratic settlement that involves all parties—right, left, and center.

“Without democratic trust, there will be no positive international image, no foreign investment, and no employment growth,” he warned.

The panel discussion was moderated by Professor Dr. Shahab Enam Khan of Jahangirnagar University’s International Relations Department and attended by diplomats, election experts, civil society representatives, and political leaders.