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Published : 14 Nov 2025, 11:54 PM
The Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) has announced a set of programmes in Dhaka and across the country demanding a reduced election security deposit while opposing the decision to award the Laldia container terminal project to a foreign company.
The plan includes besieging the Election Commission on Nov 24 as part of the demand for lower candidate deposits.
Protests rejecting the handover of construction and operation of the Laldiya container terminal to a Danish company will be held nationwide on Nov 16.
CPB President Kazi Sajjad Zahir Chandan announced the programmes on Friday afternoon during the party’s national rally at Suhrawardy Udyan in the capital.
Emeritus Professor Sirajul Islam Choudhury, economist Anu Muhammad and former CPB president Mujahidul Islam Selim were among the leaders addressing the gathering.
Speakers discussed the forthcoming general election, the July Charter, the proposed referendum, and the government’s move to place port operations in foreign hands.
Selim said, “The proposal Muhammad Yunus has placed to hold a referendum on election day is not acceptable. They have used the language of consensus to create a false document.
“By enforcing the constitutional order, the government is attempting something that will not gain legitimacy through a referendum. No issue outside consensus can be imposed.
“Through the constitutional order and the referendum, the government is pushing the country into prolonged conflict. The old system is being reinforced under a new cover,” he added.
Calling for immediate announcement of the election schedule, Selim said: “Bangladesh has repeatedly fallen under authoritarian rule. People have shed blood to overthrow such rule. We do not want to see any new form of ‘fascism, authoritarianism or despotism’.
“The interim government is generating doubt time after time over a free and fair national election. This is why we demand the prompt announcement of the election schedule.”
Prof Serajul said, “We need unity among social revolutionaries. Those who seek to replace private ownership with social ownership must form a united front. This time, the united front should be the front of revolutionaries, a front of all Left forces.
“I believe the Communist Party must lead that front. They must raise the call: social revolutionaries, unite. I hope the CPB will take the initiative.”
Outlining the CPB’s November programmes, Chandan said the party will surround the Election Commission to demand lower security deposits and equal opportunities for candidates.
Protests will be held the same day in front of election offices at district and Upazila level.
He added that marches and protest rallies will be held nationwide on Nov 16 against the plan to hand over construction and operation of the Laldiya container terminal at Chattogram Port to foreign companies.
In addition, a political convention for women will be held in Dhaka on 28 Nov.
The following day, on Nov 29, a national-level conference will be organised by the Left Democratic Alliance, Bangladesh JaSaD and other Left, democratic and progressive groups.
The conference will discuss building an alternative political force committed to the aspirations of the Liberation War and the 2024 Uprising, and establishing an equal society.
The Laldiya terminal is being built near Chattogram Port’s New Mooring Terminal, with double its handling capacity. Denmark-based APM Terminals is slated to operate the new facility.
The government is preparing to sign a 30-year contract with APM Terminals, a subsidiary of shipping giant Maersk Group, for the construction and operation of the terminal.
