Dhaka, Oct. 26 -- Information and Broadcasting Adviser Mahfuj Alam on Saturday cautioned that political parties are "gearing up for confrontation" ahead of the next national election, warning that the brewing tensions may become apparent within the next few months.

"Almost everyone seems eager for conflict, and you'll begin to see signs of it soon. My concern is that if religious elements get involved, Bangladesh's situation could deteriorate even further," Mahfuj said while addressing a national dialogue titled 'Shrine Culture: Violence, Crisis and Future Thought' at BM Bhaban in Segunbagicha.

He noted that so far, parties have avoided direct clashes largely because of the chief adviser's firm stance against such unrest.

Although stat...