Tuesday | 14 January 2025 | Reg No- 06
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Tuesday | 14 January 2025 | Epaper
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Rift, distance between BNP, Jamaat signalling new political polarization

Published : Tuesday, 14 January, 2025 at 12:00 AM  Count : 237
Walid Khan
Awami League is now inactive in Bangladesh politics after Sheikh Hasina fled from the country on August-5 last year in the face of student lead July uprising. In the emerging situation, disagreements came into light between 25-year political allies BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami on various issues.

This disagreement has been clearly observed in the speeches of the top to grassroot level leaders of both the parties after August 5.
 
Jamaat accused that, in some places BNP grassroot leaders and activists physically assault Jamaat and Sibir leaders and activists.

Hostile relationship came to light in the middle of last August through the conflicting statements of BNP and Jamaat about giving time to the interim government to hold next election.

On Jan 7 in a rally organized by the Bangladesh Nationalist Freedom Fighters Party at the National Press Club, BNP Standing Committee member Maj (retd) Hafizuddin Ahmed said that, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami trying to justify their role in 1971 when they collaborated with the Pakistan occupation army who committed genocide and atrocities in East Pakistan (Now Bangladesh) during the War of Liberation.

Hafiz urged Jamaat to apologise to the people of Bangladesh for their role in 1971.

On December 27 Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman said, "One extortionist has escaped, another is involved in extortion," he indirectly hinted at BNP.

In resonponse of this statement BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said, "After August 5, Islami Bank was taken over by the followers of an Islamic political party," making accusing finger to Jamaat.

On December 23, speaking at an event in Rangpur, Jamaat Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman said there were only two tested patriotic forces in the country one is the army, the other is Jamaat-e-Islami.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi blasted this statement as "ridiculous."

After August-5 Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami Dr Shafiqur Rahman gave a statement that he will not take revenge against his political opponent Awami League. Even with that statement there was a strong reaction in BNP.

Jamaat's Ameer's spoke to reporters in a separate event in Dhaka on August 28 about relations with India.

Addressing the party leaders and workers there, he said, "We want friendship with everyone. We need friendly and cooperative countries. Neighbors cannot be changed. Why do you think of changing."

Jamaat Ameer's statement caused intense dissatisfaction in BNP.

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman spoke online from London at an event organized by BNP in Satkhira last Sunday.

Although he did not directly mention the name of Jamaat-e-Islami, he referred to Jamaat Ameer's speech, regarding India. Acting Chairman of BNP said, "In the last few days, I have seen that some political parties have stepped into the trap of a neighboring country. That's why they are talking about things that are confusing."

In response to Tarique Rahman's comment Jamaat Sharply reacted "Why BNP made such statement?"
Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Publicity Affairs Secretary Motiur Rahman Akand told the Daily Observer that, "Why BNP is saying this, BNP can answer. This is not the responsibility of Jamaat-e-Islami. From our side we feel there is no distance between BNP and Jamaat.

On the election issue BNP made its stand clearly that the next election should be held within reasonable time as an unconstitutional government should not continue for long. BNP leaders asserted "election first, reforms later."

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, expressed his displeasure over the absence of an election roadmap in the last speech of the chief adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus to the nation.

Immediately BNP Secretary General's reaction to Dr. Yunus's speech speech was criticized by Jamaat Ameer. He said, "Hundreds of people are still writhing in hospital beds. Blood stains are not removed. The country is affected by floods. At this time, the nation will not accept it if anyone raises election slogans."

"For the sake of fair elections, the government will need a minimum of time to make various amendments and reforms. That is why we have said that even if they are given a short time, they will not succeed, the Jamaat is asking for a reasonable time," Dr Shafiqur said in one of his meeting with party leaders and workers.  

BNP reacted sharply to Jamaat Ameer's statement on election. BNP Secretary General Fakhrul said, "Those who don't have public support, they have such different thoughts, I am not naming any party. Those who cannot afford to win the vote are against the election."

About the arguments of both parites leaders BNP Standing Committee Member Khandakar Mosharraf Hossain told the Daily Observer that, "BNP established multi party democratic politics in the country. Any political party can express their voice. We fought to reestablish democracy and multi-party political culture in the country. We encourage other political parties to make statement openly. This is the democratic political culture of a country."

He however strongly defended BNP's stand on election and statements of party leaders.
 
Political analysts feel that the rift and distance between the two parties once close allies are increasing due to the changing political context of the country which indicates signal of new political polarization in the country.



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