As Bangladesh enters a new phase of political uncertainty following the July Uprising of 2024, cracks within the anti-regime coalition are becoming increasingly visible. Once united against the authoritarian rule of Sheikh Hasina, many opposition parties now appear to be retreating to individual power quests—fueling fresh concerns about instability and missed opportunities for democratic transition.
On Saturday, Mahfuz Alam, a key advisor to the interim process and a respected figure within the post-uprising civic leadership, took to Facebook to issue a public warning against the growing disunity among anti-regime forces.
“Unity is still essential. Giving space to reckless actors will only harm the country,” he wrote. “Opposition and competition must never descend into hatred and hostility. The greater evil is still breathing down our necks. Still, everyone needs a reckoning.”
His words appear to be a response to the increasingly hostile rhetoric and rivalry among various political blocs, including former allies who once stood shoulder to shoulder against the Awami League’s 17-year reign.
Since the ouster of Hasina’s regime in July 2024, several major opposition parties—most notably the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami—have resumed their old patterns of competitive politics, shifting focus from reform and justice to electoral positioning. Meanwhile, newer coalitions and grassroots movements that played a crucial role in the uprising are struggling to find a foothold amid the return of old-guard rivalries.
Insiders from multiple factions have privately expressed frustration over the fragmentation, noting that the absence of a unified roadmap is undermining both the transitional government’s legitimacy and public confidence.
The interim government itself is reportedly displeased with the growing political chaos, as it complicates governance and hinders the implementation of long-promised electoral and constitutional reforms. At the same time, remnants of the defeated pro-Hasina network continue to look for openings to regroup, intensifying fears of a political relapse.
Mahfuz Alam’s statement echoes calls from civic leaders, student alliances, and non-partisan reformists who believe that the spirit of July 2024 is being eroded by short-sighted ambitions.
Political observers suggest that unless the opposition forces—both old and new—can realign around a shared democratic agenda, the uprising’s momentum may be squandered. With no general election yet scheduled and transitional arrangements hanging in the balance, the road ahead remains uncertain.
