NewKerala.com

Key Points

The BNP has openly accused Jamaat-e-Islami of attempting to delay Bangladesh's upcoming general elections through various political tactics. Party leader Salahuddin Ahmed questioned why Jamaat is trying to obstruct the election process if they claim to be confident about returning to power. He criticized Jamaat's demands to ban other political parties and their apparent double standards in political alignments. The BNP emphasized that differences should be resolved through negotiation rather than street agitation that could derail the democratic process.

Key Points: BNP Accuses Jamaat of Obstructing Bangladesh Elections

  • BNP questions Jamaat's confidence in forming government while avoiding elections
  • Salahuddin criticizes Jamaat's demand to ban Jatiya Party and 14-party alliance
  • BNP leader condemns Jamaat's double standards in political alignments
  • Street agitation seen as tactic to derail national elections rather than negotiate
3 min read

BNP says Jamaat trying to obstruct next year's elections in Bangladesh

BNP leader Salahuddin Ahmed questions Jamaat-e-Islami's motives for delaying Bangladesh's general elections through street agitation and political demands.

"If you are so confident, then why don't you join the election instead of making excuses one after another to obstruct it? - Salahuddin Ahmed"

Dhaka, Sep 21

In an escalating political tension, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) accused the radical Islamist Party Jamaat-e-Islami of attempting to delay the country's upcoming general elections through various "tactics", including street agitation, local media reported.

Addressing a youth dialogue in Dhaka on Saturday, BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed questioned Jamaat, asking why it is trying to obstruct the election if it is so confident about returning to power as its leaders claim.

"There were a few rallies of Jamaat and other parties across the country on Friday. Some newspapers carried headlines on Saturday saying that Jamaat leaders claimed they will form the government while the BNP will sit in opposition. But who decides that? Is it you, or is it the people? If you are so confident, then why don't you join the election instead of making excuses one after another to obstruct it?" leading Bangladeshi media outlet UNB quoted the BNP leader as saying.

Salahuddin also criticised Jamaat for demanding a ban on Jatiya Party and the 14-party alliance. He asserted that the BNP knows that the real motive of Jamaat is "to derail the national elections."

The BNP leader further condemned Jamaat for its "double standards", noting that the public is observing which group it has aligned with in its simultaneous movement for several demands, including the introduction of a Proportional Representation (PR) system and a ban on the 14-party alliance and Jatiya Party.

Salhuddin stressed that differences of opinion are part of democracy and any party has the right to take to the streets to press its demands through democratic means.

"We have been saying that these issues are still awaiting settlement at the negotiation table. So, are you taking to the streets to apply extra pressure?" he questioned.

"If you do, we will also have to go to the streets to counter it. Is that what we want now? We want these matters resolved at the negotiation table," he added.

Earlier on Thursday, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir slammed the joint street programmes announced by several radical Islamist parties, including Jamaat, arguing that pressing for demands, such as the PR system in elections, is "not good for democracy".

The parties that earlier collaborated with Muhammad Yunus to overthrow the democratically elected government of the Awami League, led by Sheikh Hasina, are now at loggerheads over reform proposals.

- IANS

Share this article:

Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Jamaat's tactics sound familiar - creating chaos to gain power. BNP is right to call them out. Elections should happen on time, let people decide who governs.
S
Sarah B
As an observer, it's concerning how religious parties try to manipulate democratic processes. Hope Bangladesh maintains its secular democratic values.
V
Vikram M
Bangladesh needs stability for economic growth. These political games only hurt common people and regional trade. Hope they sort this out through dialogue, not street protests.
A
Aditya G
Interesting how BNP is criticizing Jamaat now when they've been allies in the past. Political opportunism at its finest. 🤔
N
Nisha Z
Democracy means letting people vote, not creating excuses to delay elections. All parties should participate and respect the people's mandate.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50