Leftist intellectual and author Badruddin Umar remarked that following the July-August uprising, right-wing forces have gained political momentum while the left remains notably absent. Speaking at a discussion at the National Press Club, he stated that the uprising failed to bring any class-based transformation or labor-farmer demands into political discourse. Surprisingly, he said, the BNP now appears to be the most progressive force. Umar noted that the people hoped for a resurgence of the left, but religious and right-wing forces now dominate the political scene.