Interim Government Out of Steam, Says Debapriya Bhattacharya; Raises Concerns Over Election Inclusivity

Speaking at a report launching ceremony titled "From Promise to Implementation: Political Inclusion and Democratic Accountability" organized by the Centre for Governance Studies (CGS) this morning, he remarked, "Whatever opportunity they had for reform and justice—they have run out of steam." He suggested that under the current circumstances, the wisest course of action for the administration would be to focus on delivering a credible election.

During the event held at a city hotel, a survey report on the participation of minority communities in the upcoming elections was presented. The survey, which sampled 505 individuals from various minority groups, revealed that over 50 percent of respondents are anxious about participating in the polls, while 25 percent feel extremely insecure. Dr. Bhattacharya used this data to criticize the Chief Adviser's earlier promises of inclusivity, noting that while the leadership spoke of bringing everyone under "one umbrella" regardless of religion or caste, that umbrella has failed to open, leaving marginalized groups "soaked in the rain."

Dr. Bhattacharya further observed that the upcoming February 12 national election does not yet appear sufficiently inclusive. However, he maintained that there is still a window of opportunity to ensure the participation of women, minorities, and dissenting political voices. He urged the interim government to take responsibility for ensuring the safety of marginalized voters both before and after the polls, calling it their "last chance" to leave a positive mark on history. The event was also attended by Dr. Badiul Alam Majumdar, Secretary of SHUJAN, and economist Selim Jahan, with CGS President Zillur Rahman moderating the session.