Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Qatari Foreign Ministry: Qatar and Egypt welcome Hamas' announcement of its agreement to release American Aidan Alexander.
Hamas says to release US captive Edan Alexander.
Al Mayadeen's sources: Trump will announce that Hamas will release US captive Edan Alexander from Gaza.
Al Mayadeen correspondent: Israeli aircraft bombed the coastal province of Hodeidah on the Red Sea, west of Yemen.
The Israeli occupation military issues a bombing threat against the Yemeni ports of Ras Isa, Hodeidah, and Salif.
UKMTO says vessel reported a small craft colliding with it, attempting to collide with other vessels in the area
UKMTO says it received a report of an incident 80NM northwest of jebel Ali, UAE
Israeli Foreign Minister says 'Israel' fully endorses Trump plan for Gaza aid: Reuters
Iranian state media: The fourth round of nuclear talks between Tehran and Washington has kicked off in Oman
Senior Israeli intelligence official: Contacts are underway between Syria and "Israel" to retrieve the body of the spy Eli Cohen

Bangladesh launches three days of political rallies ahead of elections

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 1 May 2025 11:38
3 Min Read

As Bangladesh edges closer to a pivotal election, political parties from across the spectrum take to the streets of Dhaka in a series of mass rallies, signaling a new era following Sheikh Hasina’s departure.

Listen
  • x
  • Thousands of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) activists participate in a rally in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. (AP)
    Thousands of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) activists participate in a rally in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on Friday, November 8, 2024. (AP)

Bangladesh has begun three days of mass political rallies, with rival parties mobilising large-scale demonstrations in Dhaka ahead of elections scheduled under the interim government led by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus.

The Bangladesh political rallies kicked off on Thursday, drawing thousands to the streets in a show of strength by major parties following last year’s political upheaval. The rallies mark a significant turning point since the ousting of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who fled the country after crowds stormed her palace in August. She currently remains in self-imposed exile in India, defying an arrest warrant from Dhaka on charges of crimes against humanity.

Muhammad Yunus, 84, now heads the interim administration and has promised elections as early as December 2025, with a final deadline of mid-2026.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), widely regarded as the frontrunner in the upcoming vote, staged a major May Day rally in the capital. “We are confident this will be the most memorable grand rally in recent times,” said Shairul Kabir Khan, a BNP media officer.

Related News

Bangladesh Opposition raises concern over delayed elections

India's Modi meets Bangladesh's Yunus in first since regime change

Jamaat-e-Islami, the country’s largest Islamist party, also held a parallel rally, reaffirming its return to the political stage. The Jatiya Party, once aligned with Hasina’s former government, organized its first public event since its offices were reportedly attacked last October.

National Citizens Party builds momentum

Friday will see a rally by the National Citizens Party (NCP), formed by students who led the protests that helped unseat Hasina. NCP leader Nahid Islam, who initially joined Yunus’ interim cabinet before resigning, now leads the youth-driven movement.

“Political programs help us build public engagement,” said Ariful Islam Adib, a senior NCP figure. “This rally isn't about showing strength, but we expect 20,000 to 30,000 attendees.”

The final day of demonstrations will feature a “grand rally” by Hefazat-e-Islam, a powerful network of Islamic seminaries. Leader Mamunul Haque stated that the event will serve as a reminder of the group’s historical sacrifices and as a platform for presenting their demands.

“We will present four demands. Chief among them is scrapping the recommendations of the Women’s Rights Commission,” said Haque. “We don’t care if it’s Muhammad Yunus in charge or someone even more prominent, we’ll take to the streets.”

Sheikh Hasina, who ruled the country for over a decade, remains abroad despite an active warrant for her arrest. Her government’s collapse last year continues to reshape Bangladesh’s political landscape, with the upcoming elections expected to be the most consequential in recent history.

  • Muhammad Yunus
  • bangladesh
  • BNP
  • elections in Bangladesh
  • sheikh hasina
  • protests in Bangladesh

Most Read

Trump cut off contact with Netanyahu, senior Israeli official says

Trump cut off contact with Netanyahu: Israeli media

  • US & Canada
  • 9 May 2025
Pakistan downs an Indian jet and hits a military base in Kashmir escalation.

Pakistan downs 3 Indian jets, hits military base in Kashmir escalation

  • Politics
  • 7 May 2025
A Yemeni gunman walks past paintings depicting rockets and scenes in solidarity with Gaza, displayed on a roadside fence in Sanaa, Yemen, Monday, May 5, 2025 (AP)

Oman brokers US-Yemen ceasefire, Israelis in dark regarding deal

  • Politics
  • 6 May 2025
Saree

Yemeni Armed Forces target key Israeli sites, USS Truman

  • MENA
  • 7 May 2025

Coverage

All
Gaza prevails against genocide

Read Next

All
This Sept. 29, 2018 file photo shows idle cargo and oil tanker ships at the port of Hodeida, Yemen. (AP)
Politics

'Israel' issues threats to three Yemeni ports

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky speaks during a briefing in Kiev, Ukraine, Tuesday, March 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky)
Politics

Zelensky agrees to meet Putin in Istanbul, demands ceasefire first

A boy holds an empty pot over his head as he waits for donated food at a community kitchen in Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip, Friday, May 9, 2025 (AP)
Politics

US-Gaza ceasefire negotiations intensify amid Trump-Netanyahu split

AP
Politics

Hamas to free Edan Alexander as part of Gaza deal: Al-Hayya

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS