National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam has accused the government of failing to maintain law and order, arrest drug traffickers and ensure impartial law enforcement, warning that Bangladesh could face another authoritarian regime.

“Bangladesh is becoming a mafia state. This was the situation before, and it has not changed,” he said while briefing journalists at an NCP meeting with leaders from the southern part of Dhaka division on organisational progress and preparations for the upcoming elections on Wednesday.

Nahid alleged that BNP-backed activists were killing even members of their own party and subjecting ordinary people to torture and repression.

“How bad must the law and order situation become for people to start killing members of their own party? Whether these killings will be brought to justice remains a question,” he said.

He said the lack of judicial reform had left the justice system under the control of those in power.

Nahid also warned against allowing the government to operate without accountability, saying the country could be forced to confront another authoritarian regime.

“If we give this government too much leeway, who knows, we may have to confront another fascist regime. We do not want to overthrow another fascist regime at the cost of 1,400 more lives,” he said.

Referring to the law and order situation, Nahid said his party had expected law enforcement agencies to act impartially and firmly. However, he criticised the inspector general of police for talking about crossfire and accused the home minister of failing to provide effective leadership.

He also questioned the government's response to drug trafficking, alleging that authorities had failed to take effective action against identified drug hotspots.

“On one side, criminals have weapons, and on the other, state ministers also have weapons. This is what a mafia state looks like, where you have to take up arms yourself to confront those who are armed,” he said.

Nahid further accused the government of failing to arrest major drug traffickers, syndicate members and politically influential individuals involved in the trade.

“Unless they are arrested, it will not be possible to eliminate drug trafficking,” he said.

Referring to Cox's Bazar, he said a large share of the country's drug smuggling takes place through the district and questioned the home minister's ability to tackle the problem in his own constituency.

On the upcoming local government elections, Nahid expressed doubts about whether the polls could be held peacefully under the current circumstances.

He alleged that internal conflicts within the ruling party had left hundreds of people dead or injured. He also accused the Election Commission of being politicised and said the police and administration were increasingly coming under political influence.

“In the current situation, it is not possible to hold free and fair local government elections,” he said.

NCP Senior Joint Member Secretary and Political Council member Sarjis Alam, Political Council member Ariful Islam Adib, and senior party leaders from Faridpur, Madaripur, Shariatpur, Gopalganj and Rajbari attended the meeting.