Unlike previous years, BNP put in greater efforts in 2021 to make people feel its presence, but Khaleda Zia’s party still faces an uphill task to cast any impact on the political landscape ahead of the 2023 national election, according to political analysts. As the nature of the game has changed, they said, BNP must have a strategic plan to make a turnaround. “BNP should have done something that would have surprised people instead of only focusing on sending Khaleda abroad for medical treatment. People want a strong movement, BNP should concentrate on it,” said Gonoshasthya Kendra founder Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury. Professor Ali Riaz, a distinguished professor of political science at Illinois State University (USA), said BNP needs to bring its house in order and develop a strategy for the future. Read: Get ready for movement with shrouds on heads: BNP to followers ‘Nothing tangible’ in 2021 On the first day of 2021, BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir had said they were taking a fresh vow to completely free Khaleda Zia from jail and ‘restore’ democracy in the country through a mass upsurge by uniting the country’s people and political parties, but the party could not do much to live up to its pledge. The party held various street programmes, including rallies and human chains, in protest against the price hike of essentials, a flawed election system, different incidents, demanding Khaleda’s treatment abroad all over the year. The party marked the seventh anniversary of the 10th parliament election day-- January 5, 2014 -- by hoisting flags at its offices across the country.

Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader on Sunday said there is no chance to start a fresh debate over caretaker government as it has already been settled by the court. “The caretaker government system was sent to the museum through a court order in 2011. There’s no chance for any debate over it as it’s a settled issue,” said Quader. Read: BNP sitting out polls for 'fear of losing': Quader The minister came up with the remarks while talking to reporters after the handover of lease documents of plots allotted at rehabilitation sites among the victims of Padma Multipurpose Bridge construction project. He urged all to take preparations for the national election saying that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina wants a peaceful election in the country. “Take preparations for the election without creating any chaos.” Read: Govt. mulls tunnel under Padma River between Daulatdia and Paturia: Quader “Democracy in our country has flourished to some extent, though it’s a slow process. A neutral election commission will be constituted through a search committee for holding fair elections,” said the minister.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday said their party will not accept the upcoming national election unless it is held under a" neutral government". "Our stance is very clear there would be no more game in the name of an election. The election must be held under a neutral government and to be conducted by a neutral election commission,” he said. Speaking at a discussion, the BNP leader also said, “We won’t accept any election if there’s no polls-time neutral government and an impartial election commission." BNP arranged the programme at the Institution of Engineers’, Bangladesh. Read: BNP policymakers in another closed-door meeting Stating that the days of the current government are numbered, Fakhrul urged Awami League to try to read public minds and understand the writings on the walls. “That means quit power after making the provision of the polls-time caretaker government and let people exercise their right to vote.” He called upon BNP leaders and activists to be organised and get ready for a street movement instead of creating chaos for having party posts. “This is the only way left for us. It won’t be possible to remove the current monstrous regime without a mass movement and mass uprising. So, we’ve to unite all our people, unite all the political forces to take place a mass uprising,” the BNP leader said, pointing at the party rank and file. Read: BNP plans series of party central leaders’ meetings He said Awami League has become politically bankrupt losing public support for its ”misdeeds and repressive acts. They (AL) know they won’t even get 30 seats if any election is held in a free and fair manner. That’s why they have politicised all the state institutions.” Fakhrul also alleged that the government has established its control over the judiciary, administration, law enforcement agencies and the media. “So, the entire nation is unable to speak up and exercise their freedom of expression.”

Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader on Sunday said the World Bank is delaying its decision to finance Bangladesh’s road safety project despite repeatedly expressing interest in it. "The World Bank has made delays after expressing interest in financing the road safety project several times. If they don’t come Bangladesh will implement the project with its own funding," he said while inaugurating virtually nine bridges under Dhaka zone. Read: Quader trashes Fakhrul’s vaccine corruption allegation Bangladesh needs to invest an about US dollar7.8 billion over the next decade to halve its road crash fatalities, according a new World Bank report. Quader also expressed hope that the Padma Bridge, Metro Rail, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Tunnel and BRT projects would be opened to traffic next year. He instructed the authorities concerned to expedite the work on roads and bridges across the country and make up the delays caused by Covid pandemic. Quader said a revolutionary change will take place in the communication sector across the country after the under-construction projects are completed. Read: Metro rail services to be opened in December,2022: Quader Turning to current politics the Awami League general secretary said the next general election will be held on time following the constitution. Quader made it clear that elections will be held in Bangladesh in the same way as in other democracies of the world. Stating that there will be no bias in the election, the AL leader further said that the next election will be free and fair supervised by a neutral election commission.