Political Tensions Escalate Between BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami Ahead of Bangladesh Elections

Bangladesh’s political landscape is growing increasingly fractious as the February 12 elections approach, with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) launching sharp accusations against the radical Islamist party, Jamaat-e-Islami, during a press conference in Dhaka on Wednesday.

Mahdi Amin, BNP Election Steering Committee spokesperson and advisor to the party chairperson, accused Jamaat of spreading “fascist propaganda,” engaging in political hypocrisy, and employing deceptive narratives to sway voters in the upcoming polls.

“Jamaat is attempting to mislead the public by branding BNP as a ‘world champion of corruption,'” Amin stated, dismissing these allegations as “politically motivated” and divorced from reality. He pointed out that Jamaat had raised no objections about corruption when they held ministerial posts and parliamentary seats during the BNP’s governance between 2001 and 2006.

“Now, in the election field, they are continuing the same old fascist propaganda, which is nothing but blatant political hypocrisy,” Amin was quoted as saying by The Dhaka Tribune, one of Bangladesh’s leading newspapers.

Amin further alleged that Jamaat was exploiting religious sentiments to influence voters through promises of heaven, oaths on the Quran, and financial incentives. He criticized those “accused of vote-buying” for lacking the credibility to lecture others on corruption and warned that such practices violate electoral codes and undermine democratic processes.

The BNP spokesperson called on the Election Commission to implement stronger measures against efforts to manipulate public opinion through disinformation and what he termed “fascist politics.” He affirmed that the BNP would continue its political and constitutional struggle while working to expose Jamaat’s campaigns.

This public confrontation follows earlier indirect warnings from BNP leadership against Jamaat. Earlier this week, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, who is contesting from the Thakurgaon-1 constituency, urged voters not to “destroy the country” by supporting those accused of collaborating with Pakistani occupation forces during the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War.

“Those who assisted the Pakistan Army even at the last moment are today asking for votes to govern the country. Don’t ruin the nation by voting for them,” Alamgir stated at an election rally in Thakurgaon district’s Sadar Upazila, as reported by The Daily Star.

“We want to uphold the spirit of 1971 because our identity derives from that. Bangladesh was born due to Pakistan’s exploitation and repression. We fought Pakistan and achieved independence,” he added, emphasizing the BNP’s commitment to Bangladesh’s founding principles.

The escalating rhetoric between these political forces comes at a critical juncture in Bangladesh’s democratic journey. The country has been experiencing significant political turbulence since the overthrow of Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League government, which had been democratically elected. The interim government led by Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus initially had the support of various political factions, including both the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami, but these alliances appear to be fracturing as election day approaches.

Political analysts note that this growing division among opposition forces could significantly impact election outcomes and shape Bangladesh’s political future. The accusations being traded between parties that were previously united against Hasina’s government highlight the complex and sometimes opportunistic nature of political alliances in Bangladesh’s volatile political environment.

As the February 12 elections draw closer, observers anticipate that political tensions will continue to rise, with potential implications for both the electoral process and Bangladesh’s democratic stability.