Staff Reporter
BNP Standing Committee Member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury on Wednesday said that Bangladesh is gradually moving backward as it has failed to shift to a democratic order even a year after the mass uprising.
“One year is not a short time. By now, the country should have entered a democratic order through elections. Because of this delay, Bangladesh is sliding down day by day,” the BNP leader said while addressing a seminar.
Citing history, Khosru noted that nations which quickly embraced democracy through elections after revolutions or mass uprisings were able to progress, while those that failed to do so ended up facing turmoil.
“In countries where leaders delayed elections and created unnecessary complications, democracy eventually collapsed, economies were ruined, and civil wars broke out, leaving societies bitterly divided. This is why elections in Bangladesh cannot be postponed any longer,” he stressed.
Khosru, a BNP Standing Committee member, said the lack of democracy and an elected authority has made the current situation increasingly fragile.
He pointed out that the interim government has become disconnected from the people.
“This gap has left law enforcement and officials unable to perform their responsibilities. We see law and order breaking down, insecurity growing, and businesses losing confidence. Investors are unwilling to put in their money and efforts in such uncertainty, and factories are not getting new investment,” he said.
The seminar, titled ‘Post-July Political Thoughts: Which Direction Bangladesh is Walking?’, was hosted by the School of Leadership USA (Bangladesh Chapter) at a city hotel.
Khosru cautioned that Bangladesh has already wasted more than a year without democracy, pushing the country deeper into political and economic instability.
Despite hosting international summits and events, he observed, the country has failed to draw meaningful investment.
“At a recent summit, no fresh investments came in, even though many current investors were present. But with the election announcement, there are early signs of renewed interest. It’s clear investors are waiting for elections before making decisions. They are observing closely and preparing for commitments once polls are held,” he explained.
The BNP leader also urged political parties to recognise the shift in public sentiment following the mass uprising.
“After the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s authoritarian rule, the mindset of the people has changed dramatically. Their hopes and demands are higher than ever. If political parties fail to grasp this shift, they risk losing their relevance. Not only the parties, but my future and the country’s future will be uncertain if we ignore this,” Khosru said.
