Quiet settles over Jamaat office as election storm passes

Just days ago, the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami office near Dhaka's Mogbazar area was alive with political fervour. Now, after the election, a quiet calm has settled over the building, and from outside, one would hardly guess it had been a hub of campaign activity in past days.

By midday, only a handful of workers lingered at the entrance. Plastic chairs, once stacked with visitors, remain empty, and campaign posters serve as fading reminders of a fevered election week. Mohammad Ali, at the security gate, said, "Before the election, crowds would start to arrive from morning – politicians, journalists, or party members. Now, compared to before, it feels very quiet as one or two people come in and leave occasionally."

Inside, the main hall feels unusually subdued. The buzz of strategy meetings, press briefings, and campaign planning has given way to quiet, focused conversations. Leaders and staffers now huddle over result analyses and future plans, rather than coordinating rallies or handling crowds. One staffer, on condition of anonymity, said, "Visitor numbers may have dropped, but the work hasn't stopped. Meetings are still going on inside." As Nirab, another staffer, stepped out, he smiled, "Politics never stops."

Even the office library, once overshadowed by campaign chaos, is now serene. Papers are neatly arranged, and the ticking of the wall clock is audible. A Deepto TV journalist, recalling the pre-election bustle, said, "Before the election, even standing here was challenging amid so many people. Today, this silence itself feels like the news."

Outside, the calm extends to nearby shops. Tea seller Azim said, "Before, evenings were packed. Leaders and workers debated loudly, planning campaigns, predicting outcomes. Now, even at midday, the stall is nearly empty. No slogans, no loud arguments – just quiet."

The heat of the election and the stillness that follows—these opposing scenes are part of politics' rhythm. Transformed from chaos to quiet, the office reflects that reality, where each result sparks new calculations, fresh anticipation, and the unfolding story of preparation for what comes next.