Hostilities between the “battling Begums” has further intensified in recent weeks, a UK parliament research brief said.
The brief said the dispute centred on Khaleda’s demand that the 2014 elections take place under the auspices of a neutral caretaker government, whereas Hasina instituted an all-party interim cabinet instead.
It said the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami “have been calling without avail” for fresh parliamentary polls.
A Commons Library Standard Note published on Wednesday said Khaleda had called for mass demonstrations on January 5 under the banner, “Murder of Democracy Day,” to mark the first anniversary of the 2014 elections.
The AL government responded by banning demonstrations and Khaleda then called for an indefinite blockade of roads, railways and waterways leading into Dhaka on January 5. This remains in effect.
A dawn to dusk hartal called by the BNP on January 16 was responded to by the AL with counter-demonstrations across the country on January 17 and 18, it said.
A BNP leader was shot and wounded and Khaleda was confined to her Dhaka office between January 3 and 19, it said, noting that the authorities claimed that it was done for her own security.
The Commons Note noted that the UK and US governments have expressed their concern over the ongoing violence, as has the EU.
The “controversial International Crimes Tribunal” has continued to try individuals accused of serious human rights violations during the 1971 War of Independence, it said.
