Anand Kumar’s Article ‘Bangladesh Heads to Crucial Elections Amid Political Exclusion: A Divided Nation Needs Democratic Renewal’ Published in South Asia Monitor
February 10, 2026
Associate Fellow, Manohar Parrikar IDSA, Dr Anand Kumar’s article ‘Bangladesh Heads to Crucial Elections Amid Political Exclusion: A Divided Nation Needs Democratic Renewal’ has been published in South Asia Monitor on 10 February 2026.
All signs point to a BNP victory. In a competitive contest without the Awami League, the BNP’s organisational depth and electoral reach make it the frontrunner. Yet victory alone may not translate into authority. The absence of the Awami League, the continued influence of Sheikh Hasina from exile, the rise of Islamist alternatives, and the central role of unelected institutions mean that any new government will inherit a fractured polity. The 2026 election may revive the BNP’s fortunes, but it will not by itself heal Bangladesh’s democratic wounds, writes Dr Kumar.
Disclaimer: The views expressed by the author are personal and do not in any way reflect the views of MP-IDSA or the Government of India.
