Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) General Secretary and Central Coordinator of the Left Democratic Alliance, Sardar Ruhin Hossain Prince, has warned that failing to hold the next national elections by December 2025 could lead to the resurgence of "evil forces."
Speaking at a press conference at the Khulna Press Club on Thursday, Prince identified the evil forces: defeated reactionary elements, the prevailing undemocratic regime, and hegemonic foreign actors with imperialist agendas.
He argued that holding elections by December is both administratively and politically feasible if the government initiates structural reforms and ensures visible judicial proceedings on what he termed the "July genocide."
Rejecting suggestions to hold elections in April next year, Prince described such a delay as "strategically dangerous," warning it could allow foreign powers to gain control over national assets, including transit corridors and seaports.
Prince affirmed that the Left Democratic Alliance, led by CPB, is ready to contest all 300 parliamentary constituencies. He stressed the urgency of resolving the political crisis triggered by the recent national address from the interim head of government, calling for "immediate and credible" action.
Commenting on the interim Chief Advisor's recent visit to London and meeting with BNP acting chairperson Tarique Rahman, Prince said such engagements could lead to a constitutionally sound election roadmap. "As he has consulted various political stakeholders, a dialogue with Tarique Rahman may also help to declare an election framework by December," he noted.
The CPB leader criticized successive governments for failing to implement the core demands of popular uprisings-namely democracy, equality, and participatory governance. He reiterated the alliance's demands for comprehensive reforms, including overhauling the Election Commission, ensuring administrative neutrality, eliminating black money and muscle power from politics, and ending the prevailing culture of fear.
When asked about the Awami League's role in the current political landscape, Prince clarified that the CPB does not support banning political parties through executive action. However, he criticized the ruling party's lack of accountability following recent political violence, saying it has forfeited its moral right to participate meaningfully in democracy. "The people must decide whether the fallen power deserves to return. But any delay in the election could bring that threat back," he cautioned.
Prince also warned the interim government not to exceed its constitutional limits. "If it goes beyond its mandate, the people will have every right to question whether it is protecting national interests or serving as a proxy for foreign or reactionary forces," he said.
The press conference was chaired by CPB Khulna Metropolitan President HM Shahadat and attended by CPB Khulna District General Secretary SA Rashid, Metropolitan General Secretary Advocate Nityananda Dhali, former General Secretary Mizanur Rahman Babu, and other senior leaders.
