Eid politics heats up with BNP, Jamaat, NCP leading the charge in AL's absence

Highlights:

• Political parties use Ramadan, Eid to strengthen public ties
• Iftar gatherings and public events held nationwide
• BNP mobilises grassroots support, demands election in December
• Jamaat call for quick election after necessary reforms, engage in Eid politics
• NCP demands necessary reforms and 'July Charter' first before election
• AL leaders in hiding or imprisoned, no political activity

In the first Ramadan and Eid after the fall of the Awami League government on 5 August last year, the BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, and the newly formed National Citizen Party (NCP) have kept the political landscape vibrant with various programmes from the grassroots to the capital.

While AL leaders and activists have been out of the picture since the mass uprising, these parties have actively engaged in iftar gatherings, public outreach, and other political activities during Ramadan.

As Eid approaches, the politics of greeting the public has begun, with political leaders sending Eid greetings through billboards, banners, posters, and festoons. In this, BNP leaders are leading the charge.

With a strong demand for the national election to be held in December this year, the BNP is actively preparing by forming new committees at various levels, setting up polling centre-based committees, and mobilising its leaders and activists. It is also working to build public support to press for the election in December.

Throughout Ramadan, BNP leaders and potential MP candidates of the party have hosted iftar parties, organised public events, and distributed Eid gifts.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi told The Business Standard that potential candidates from the BNP have started preparing, assuming the election will be held in December.

"It is natural for potential candidates to increase their public engagement ahead of Eid, as this is a time when families come together, making it easier to connect with people," he said.

Meanwhile, Jamaat and the NCP prefer the national election to be held only after implementing various reforms. However, potential MP candidates from both parties have hosted iftar parties and conducted public outreach in their respective areas throughout Ramadan.

These parties are also ramping up their engagement during Eid. Despite their demand for reforms before the election, their activities have shown signs of election preparedness.

"We have always engaged in politics by maintaining a strong connection with the people," said Motiur Rahman Akand, central publicity secretary of Jamaat.

He further said Jamaat is continuing its organisational and electoral preparations with the upcoming election in mind.

NCP Joint Member Secretary Zainal Abedin (Shishir) said, "It has been less than two months since our new political party was launched. Even so, throughout Ramadan, we have tried to reach people from all walks of life through iftar gatherings."

"After Eid, we will intensify our activities, which will ultimately lead us toward the election," he added.

He further mentioned that the party's central leadership has instructed potential MP candidates from various key constituencies to increase public outreach in light of Eid.

Meanwhile, since the ousting of the Hasina government, nearly all Awami League leaders, from the ward level to the central leadership, have either gone into hiding or been imprisoned. Weighed down by numerous legal cases, party activists are now more focused on survival than on contesting the upcoming election. Even during Eid, the party has shown no signs of preparation or political activity at any level.

The BNP, along with its like-minded allies and coalition partners, is demanding that the election be held by December at any cost. They have been calling for the swift announcement of a roadmap for the election. The Jamaat-e-Islami has clearly stated its position in favour of holding the election quickly, with necessary reforms. Islamic parties outside of Jamaat have expressed opposition to unnecessary delays in the parliamentary election.

However, the NCP, which has emerged with young student leaders from the July-August mass uprising, is calling for the "July Charter" on state reforms before the election. The party has demanded both a constituent assembly and parliamentary elections after the necessary reforms. The party has already announced plans to field candidates in 300 constituencies.

Eid politics across the country

During the Eid holidays, potential MP candidates and their supporters are heading to their respective constituencies. Most candidates are taking advantage of the Eid festivities to be closer to the people and exchange greetings.

With the absence of the Awami League, the political field has seen a surge in activity, particularly from the BNP, as its potential candidates focus on rallying support for the elections.

In Rajshahi, during the month of Ramadan, the BNP and Jamaat were active in organising iftar gatherings to engage with the public and energise their leaders and activists. Both parties hosted iftar events primarily to motivate their members and convey a message about the party's future direction.

Ershad Ali Isha, convenor of Rajshahi City BNP, said due to time constraints, it was not possible to organise a central iftar event under the Rajshai City BNP this year. However, iftar gatherings were held at the BNP's local organisational units.

In Chattogram, in the absence of the ruling Awami League, the BNP, Jamaat, and NCP have taken the lead in hosting iftar events. Other parties, including Jatiya Party, AB Party, and Ganosamhati Andolan, along with their affiliated wings, also organised iftar gatherings in the port city.

This year, political competition among BNP leaders became evident as many of them hosted separate iftar parties.

On 28 March, the day after Shab-e-Qadr, BNP Standing Committee Member and former minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury hosted an iftar party for journalists at Chattogram Club.

Addressing the gathering, Amir Khasru said, "We are telling you [interim government] – sorry, reforms are not your job. Your job is to hold a credible election."

In Bogura, known as the BNP's stronghold, the party held iftar parties and public outreach events at the union and ward levels in every upazila. Jamaat and the newly formed NCP also organised iftar events. During Eid, they are intensifying their public outreach efforts.

Mir Shah Alam, president of Shibganj upazila BNP in Bogura, said, "For the past 16 years, we have lived in fear due to the Awami League's oppression, lawsuits, and attacks. Now, in the lead-up to the upcoming election, we are working according to central party directives."

In Sylhet, political activity was buzzing throughout Ramadan, centred around iftar gatherings. The BNP, Jamaat, NCP, and several other parties and their affiliated organisations hosted iftar events throughout the month.

(TBS's correspondents from Chattogram, Rajshahi, Bogura, Sylhet and Khulna contributed to this report)