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Published : 15 Jan 2026, 09:00 PM
Debapriya Bhattacharya, honorary fellow of the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), has accused the interim government of being effectively “held hostage” by a small radical faction in many areas, despite its stated aim of empowering new forces.
On Thursday, he raised concerns over the government’s ability to conduct impartial February elections under such conditions.
The briefing was organised by the Citizen Platform for SDG Implementation, which Debapriya chairs.
He also served as head of the economic white paper drafting committee formed to assess the economy after the interim government’s formation.
Referring to the student-led mass uprising, Debapriya said the interim government failed to demonstrate the openness, participation, and capability needed to implement reforms effectively.
“Ultimately, by invoking ‘new forces’, the government has become, in many ways, hostage to a small radical group. As a result, it has failed to act effectively and protect citizens. The question now arises whether it can conduct the elections impartially,” he said.
He also blamed the administration for failing to dismantle the old order, holding the bureaucracy responsible.
“While discussions about a new order were initiated, the government focused little on mobilising citizens or including other stakeholders. National dialogue involved only politicians and a limited group,” he explained.
Debapriya said this created two outcomes: first, the intended architects of the new order became absorbed into the old system, participating in the costly election process.
Second, entrenched interests resurfaced, as the bureaucracy -- the main guardian of the old order -- returned, facilitated by the interim government.
At the briefing, CPD fellows Prof Mostafizur Rahman presented 12 policy recommendations for the next government, and CPD Additional Director (Research) Towfiqul Islam Khan outlined the proposed national plan.
