Counterpoint with Zafar Sobhan

In the debut episode of Counterpoint with Zafar Sobhan, Editor Zafar Sobhan sits down with Shafiqul Alam, Journalist and former Press Secretary to the Chief Adviser of Bangladesh to discuss the Indian election and its implications for regional politics, democracy, and South Asia’s future.

Zafar Sobhan

May 11, 2026 - 13:59

May 11, 2026 - 14:07

Episode 01 at a glance -

- Launch episode of Counterpoint with Zafar Sobhan

- Guest: Shafiqul Alam, Journalist and former Press Secretary to the Chief Adviser of Bangladesh

- Discussion on the Indian election and political landscape

- Regional implications for South Asia and Bangladesh

- Analysis of democracy, leadership, and shifting political dynamics

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Previous Article

The J&J Fireside | Episode 07 | Election Promises and The Economic Reality

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Zafar Sobhan

Which global leader has shaped world headlines the most this year?

Donald Trump

Vladimir Putin

Xi Jinping

Other

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You already voted this poll before.

Which global leader has shaped world headlines the most this year?

Total Vote: 1

Donald Trump

100 %

Vladimir Putin

0 %

Xi Jinping

0 %

Other

0 %

Should social media platforms be held legally responsible for fake news?

Yes

No

Only in serious cases

Not sure

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You already voted this poll before.

Should social media platforms be held legally responsible for fake news?

Total Vote: 5

Yes

60 %

No

0 %

Only in serious cases

40 %

Not sure

0 %

Who is your early favourite to win the next FIFA World Cup?

Brazil

Argentina

France

Other

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You already voted this poll before.

Who is your early favourite to win the next FIFA World Cup?

Total Vote: 6

Brazil

33.3 %

Argentina

50 %

France

16.7 %

Other

0 %

Which issue worries you most right now?

Inflation

Climate change

War and conflict

Unemployment

Please select an option!

You already voted this poll before.

Which issue worries you most right now?

Total Vote: 18

Inflation

33.3 %

Climate change

11.1 %

War and conflict

27.8 %

Unemployment

27.8 %

What is your opinion on the ouster of Dr. Ahsan Mansur as BB governor?

A good decision

A poor decision

No opinion

It should have been done differently

Please select an option!

You already voted this poll before.

What is your opinion on the ouster of Dr. Ahsan Mansur as BB governor?

Total Vote: 148

A good decision

9.5 %

A poor decision

63.5 %

No opinion

4.1 %

It should have been done differently

23 %

Do You Think the 13th National Elections Were Free and Fair?

YES

NO

Please select an option!

You already voted this poll before.

Do You Think the 13th National Elections Were Free and Fair?

Total Vote: 168

YES

61.3 %

NO

38.7 %

Will You Vote YES or NO on the Referendum?

YES

NO

Not Sure/Undecided

What Referendum?

Please select an option!

You already voted this poll before.

Will You Vote YES or NO on the Referendum?

Total Vote: 198

YES

64.1 %

NO

22.2 %

Not Sure/Undecided

7.1 %

What Referendum?

6.6 %

Will Tarique Rahman be a stronger leader without Begum Khaleda Zia’s shadow?

Yes, he’ll finally take the charge

No, her absence weakens his standing

It won’t make a difference

Too soon to tell

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You already voted this poll before.

Will Tarique Rahman be a stronger leader without Begum Khaleda Zia’s shadow?

Total Vote: 310

Yes, he’ll finally take the charge

29.7 %

No, her absence weakens his standing

24.5 %

It won’t make a difference

13.9 %

Too soon to tell

31.9 %

Will Tarique Rahman's return help bring stability to the country?

Yes

No

No, It will make things worse

I don't know

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Will Tarique Rahman's return help bring stability to the country?

Total Vote: 315

Yes

45.7 %

No

21 %

No, It will make things worse

11.4 %

I don't know

21.9 %

Do You Agree With the Verdict of the ICT on Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina?

Yes

No

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Do You Agree With the Verdict of the ICT on Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina?

Total Vote: 383

Yes

68.1 %

No

31.9 %

When Should the Referendum be Held?

On the day of the General Election

Prior to the General Election

How about never? Is never good for you?

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When Should the Referendum be Held?

Total Vote: 315

On the day of the General Election

44.4 %

Prior to the General Election

32.1 %

How about never? Is never good for you?

23.5 %

Do You Think Elections Will Be Held On Time In February 2026?

YES

NO

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Do You Think Elections Will Be Held On Time In February 2026?

Total Vote: 330

YES

78.5 %

NO

21.5 %

What do you think of the NCP refusing to sign the July Charter?

A correct, principled decision. They should not sign.

A good decision, but hope that they will sign between now and elections

No opinion or unsure

A poor decision. Politics is the art of compromise.

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You already voted this poll before.

What do you think of the NCP refusing to sign the July Charter?

Total Vote: 293

A correct, principled decision. They should not sign.

15.4 %

A good decision, but hope that they will sign between now and elections

14.3 %

No opinion or unsure

29.7 %

A poor decision. Politics is the art of compromise.

40.6 %

What best describes your view of the July Charter?

A vital, democratic reset

A good, but incomplete step

A waste of time/Unnecessary delay

Too soon to tell

Pure Theatre

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You already voted this poll before.

What best describes your view of the July Charter?

Total Vote: 314

A vital, democratic reset

22 %

A good, but incomplete step

33.4 %

A waste of time/Unnecessary delay

13.4 %

Too soon to tell

12.4 %

Pure Theatre

18.8 %

If Elections Were Held Today Who would You Vote For?

BNP

Jamaat-e-Islami

NCP

Awami League

None of the Above

Undecided

Prefer Not to Say

Another Party

Please select an option!

You already voted this poll before.

If Elections Were Held Today Who would You Vote For?

Total Vote: 421

BNP

32.3 %

Jamaat-e-Islami

13.3 %

NCP

11.9 %

Awami League

12.8 %

None of the Above

14 %

Undecided

6.9 %

Prefer Not to Say

5.2 %

Another Party

3.6 %

When Would You Like Elections to be Held?

December 2025

February 2026

June 2026

December 2026

Only after sufficient reforms

How about never? Is never good for you?

Please select an option!

You already voted this poll before.

When Would You Like Elections to be Held?

Total Vote: 317

December 2025

10.1 %

February 2026

55.2 %

June 2026

4.7 %

December 2026

6.9 %

Only after sufficient reforms

19.2 %

How about never? Is never good for you?

3.8 %

How do you feel about the growing role of AI in Politics?

AI can improve transparency

AI should only be limited to automated tasks

AI in politics poses a serious threat to democracy

No opinion/I don't know

Please select an option!

You already voted this poll before.

How do you feel about the growing role of AI in Politics?

Total Vote: 294

AI can improve transparency

12.9 %

AI should only be limited to automated tasks

26.9 %

AI in politics poses a serious threat to democracy

45.6 %

No opinion/I don't know

14.6 %

Were the DUCSU polls fair?

Yes

No

I don't know

Please select an option!

You already voted this poll before.

Were the DUCSU polls fair?

Total Vote: 323

Yes

51.4 %

No

23.2 %

I don't know

25.4 %

Do you agree with the banning of Awami League?

Yes

No

Yes, but it could have been done differently

No opinion / I don't know

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You already voted this poll before.

Do you agree with the banning of Awami League?

Total Vote: 634

Yes

41.3 %

No

37.9 %

Yes, but it could have been done differently

18.1 %

No opinion / I don't know

2.7 %

When would you like the see the national elections?

As soon as possible

By the end of 2025

March 2026

June 2026

December 2026

Not before 2027

Please select an option!

You already voted this poll before.

When would you like the see the national elections?

Total Vote: 518

As soon as possible

31.9 %

By the end of 2025

13.7 %

March 2026

20.1 %

June 2026

9.1 %

December 2026

7.3 %

Not before 2027

18 %