The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is gearing up to unite political parties in a concerted effort to block the interim government’s decision to establish a humanitarian corridor from the Chittagong Hill Tracts to Myanmar’s Rakhine State.

The party views the move as a dangerous gamble that could compromise Bangladesh’s independence and sovereignty, potentially turning the country into a conflict zone akin to Palestine.

The interim government’s approval of the corridor, announced by Foreign Adviser Touhid Hossain on Saturday, has sparked intense backlash from the BNP. Hossain stated that the corridor, to be supervised by the UN, would proceed with unspecified conditions, but the lack of clarity and consultation has fueled the opposition’s concerns.

On Monday night, the BNP’s standing committee held a virtual meeting, chaired by Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, dedicating the entire discussion to this issue.

Three BNP standing committee members, speaking to UNB, revealed plans to collaborate with like-minded parties to pressure the government into abandoning the proposal. “We’ll either send a letter or dispatch a delegation to meet the Chief Adviser to understand the government’s intentions and gather evidence on the Rakhine situation,” they said.

The party aims to present a fact-based case to the nation, arguing that an unelected government lacks the mandate to make such a sensitive decision.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir set the tone at a public event on Monday, criticizing the interim government for not consulting political parties. “This decision involves our independence, sovereignty, and regional stability. We don’t want to become another Gaza or get entangled in war,” Fakhrul said, referencing the use of humanitarian corridors in conflict zones like Gaza, where aid is delivered via Jordan or Egypt. He also pointed to the ongoing Rohingya crisis, noting, “We’re already in a big crisis with the Rohingya. We don’t want external forces creating more trouble.”

BNP Standing Committee Member Salahuddin Ahmed echoed these sentiments, warning, “If implemented, this decision will jeopardize Bangladesh’s security, peace, stability, territorial integrity, and sovereignty.”

He highlighted the risk of military conflict with Myanmar, where the military junta and Arakan Army are engaged in a nationwide struggle, with the junta blocking supplies to suppress the Arakan Army. “Such a sensitive decision requires consensus and discussions with all political parties and social forces,” Salahuddin urged.

The BNP is also wary of broader geopolitical implications. A standing committee member raised concerns about an “international agenda” to destabilise the region, potentially aiming to create a Christian state involving parts of the Chittagong Hill Tracts and Myanmar. “If such plans materialize, Bangladesh risks becoming another Palestine,” the member cautioned, urging the government to consider the perspectives of neighboring countries like China and India.

BNP Standing Committee Member Dr. Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain expressed frustration over the lack of transparency, stating, “We’re not fully aware of the details. The government has unilaterally taken this decision without consulting the people or political parties.” He demanded clarity on the conditions attached to the corridor and announced that the BNP is gathering information and consulting experts to formulate its formal stance.

The BNP acknowledges the dire humanitarian crisis in Rakhine, as reported by the UN, and expresses sympathy for the affected population. However, the party insists that Bangladesh, already burdened by over a million Rohingya refugees, cannot afford another crisis. “We discussed whether providing a humanitarian corridor in a war-torn Myanmar is reasonable and whether it could threaten our security,” a BNP policymaker noted, emphasizing the party’s belief that an unelected government lacks the authority to make such decisions.

The BNP’s next steps include seeking answers from the government. Salahuddin Ahmed outlined the party’s plan: “We’ll ask whether discussions were held with the UN or other parties, what the conditions are, and why this decision was made. Once we hear the government’s explanation, we’ll decide our course of action.” The party’s broader strategy involves rallying public support and building a coalition of political parties to oppose the corridor, framing it as a reckless move that endangers Bangladesh’s future.