Is rift between BNP and Jamaat deepening amid looming election?

Conflict between the two long-standing allies, BNP and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami intensified after the mass uprising

With the Awami League absent from the political stage following the 5 August 2024 political changeover, the two long-standing allies, BNP and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, appear to be drifting apart as they vie for dominance ahead of the upcoming elections, according to political analysts.

They said a deepening rift between the BNP and Jamaat is taking centre stage, with their leaders trading sharp criticisms, signalling a new polarisation in the country's political landscape.

Political analysts also observed that while BNP and Jamaat have had conflicts in the past, the level of hostility between them this time is unprecedented in recent years as both parties seek to assert their political power

They also predicted that Jamaat may try to forge an alliance with Islamist parties to emerge as a strong opposition in the 13th parliament if Awami League fails to stage a comeback in politics ahead of the election.

However, they are not ruling out the possibility of Jamaat contesting the polls under BNP's alliance if the Awami League can engage in politics and join the election race.

Despite the current strain, senior leaders from both BNP and Jamaat told UNB that they do not want to damage their unity since they believe any division could ease the Awami League's return to politics.

The conflict between the two parties intensified after the mass uprising, primarily surrounding the Islamic bank takeover and the dispute over taking credit for the uprising.

Following this, Jamaat leaders accused the BNP of "grabbing and extortion" across the country.

BNP initially refrained from commenting, but on 29 December, BNP senior leader Ruhul Kabir Rizvi alleged that not only India but also several political parties, including those opposed to the 1971 Liberation War, were trying to exploit the political turmoil for their own gain.

Rizvi also accused Jamaat of being involved in taking over various institutions, including banks, and engaging in tender manipulation. In response, Jamaat issued a statement refuting these allegations.

The discord continued as Jamaat Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman at an event in Rangpur on 23 December said there are only two tested patriotic forces in the country-- one is the army, the other is Jamaat-e-Islami.

Later, Rizvi termed the Jamaat chief's comment ridiculous and raised questions about the role of the "Islamist party" in the 1971 Liberation War.

At a programme on Thursday, BNP senior leader Maj (Retd) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed slammed Jamaat for trying to justify its role in 1971 instead of offering an apology.

Supporters of both parties have been particularly active on social media, exchanging harsh words and fueling the growing hostility between them.

The BNP and Jamaat have had an enduring relationship, especially during the 1991 national election, and their formal coalition was formed in 1999. They remained politically aligned until the dissolution of their 20-party alliance before the 12th national election.

For quite some time, there has been a noticeable gap between the two parties, especially since the BNP dissolved the 20-party alliance in December 2022, to carry out a simultaneous movement with many other parties, including some left-leaning ones.

BNP-Jamaat relations also got strained in 2018, as BNP formed Jatiya Oikyafront with Dr Kamal Hossain-led Gonoforum and some other parties, ignoring Jamaat.

Jamaat also harboured resentment towards BNP due to its silence over the arrest and execution of Jamaat's top leaders for crimes against humanity during the 1971 Liberation War. However, the differences were later resolved following a high-level meeting, but now, tensions have resurfaced.

Some BNP leaders said that Jamaat Amir first attacked the BNP with his comments shortly after the ouster of Sheikh Hasina, stating that although one oppressor had left, another should not take the nation's reins.

They said the Jamaat chief also criticised the BNP in September when the party demanded an early election, prompting BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir to respond, saying that those with no public support do not want the election.

BNP leaders said though they are actively vocal about the election roadmap and early election, Jamaat wants the election to be delayed with their evil intention.

They said Jamaat is also now seeking local body elections before the national election, which goes against the stance of the BNP.

Contacted, BNP Standing Committee member Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku said it is natural for BNP leaders and workers to feel resentment over the negative remarks made by Jamaat leaders.

"Jamaat has not been a rival of BNP in electoral calculations in the last 50 years, but it seems the party has started considering BNP as a rival," he observed.

Tuku said Jamaat leaders should be more cautious with their political statements as the BNP is focused on uniting pro-democratic forces for the nation's greater good.

Talking to UNB, Jamaat-e-Islami Publicity Affairs Secretary Adv Motiur Rahman Akand said some BNP leaders are making derogatory comments against Jamaat by using outdated words and terms.

"The people of the country have not accepted such old narratives about Jamaat. Had they accepted these outdated statements, Jamaat's popularity and organisational expansion would not have increased," Akand said.

He said some BNP leaders are attacking Jamaat out of jealousy and envy, as it is increasingly gaining popularity.

Akand , however, claimed that although some leaders are engaging in verbal exchanges, both parties remain united in the greater interest of the nation.

"There is no rift between the top leaders of the two parties. I also believe the relationship between the two parties has not deteriorated. Some leaders are making comments out of frustration and ego. This is a temporary stance. The original unity remains intact," the Jamaat leader said.

Dr Shamsul Alam, a professor of government and politics at Jahangirnagar University, said Jamaat is trying to stimulate its grassroots and expand its organisation by making negative comments against the BNP in the absence of the Awami League.

He said the pro-Jamaat student body Chhatra Shibir is also trying to establish its supremacy on all educational campuses, challenging BNP's student wing Chhatra Dal.

"I think there is a rift at the grassroots level of the two parties, not at the centres, in the changed situation. But before the election, either both parties will reunite, or there will be a new polarisation," he said.