The Jamaat-e-Islami-led 11-party alliance has challenged Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to publish intelligence reports he cited when alleging a secret deal between the opposition and the ousted Awami League.
The alliance counter-claimed that the ruling BNP came to power through an arrangement with the former regime.
Rejecting the prime minister’s allegations as “fake and false”, the opposition coalition on Friday demanded the government disclose the purported intelligence findings and identify those who compiled them.
AHM Hamidur Rahman Azad, coordinator of the alliance’s liaison committee, issued the challenge following a meeting in Dhaka.
“Before the election, various BNP candidates claimed that 30 per cent of Awami League votes were reserved for them,” Azad said, referencing leaked recordings allegedly involving Sheikh Hasina. “The BNP has never refuted these claims. Does it fear that a denial could expose a deal reached behind the scenes?”
The dispute follows the prime minister’s speech in Rajshahi on Tuesday, where he alleged that the ousted Awami League and an opposition force had joined hands. “We have clear intelligence that the autocrat who fled the country is providing funds,” Tarique had said, accusing opposition elements of accepting cross-border financing to create domestic instability.
Azad dismissed the claims, warning against using intelligence reports, historically linked to enforced disappearances, to mislead the public.
Protests and electoral concerns
The 11-party alliance pledged to continue its movement until the July Charter is implemented and the referendum verdict enforced. Azad noted that while February’s elections formed parliament, nearly 70 per cent of voters backed establishing a Constitutional Reform Council. He accused the government of ignoring this mandate and operating beyond its authority.
The coalition raised concerns over deteriorating law and order, citing drug trafficking, abductions, and internal party violence that allegedly left 40 political activists dead over six months. It further accused the administration of politicising public appointments, pressuring Public Service Commission members to resign, and compromising the Election Commission.
Ahead of the Thakurgaon-1 by-election on 29 October, Azad warned the government against alleged plans to rig the vote in favour of their candidate, Delwar Hossain. The alliance announced a long march from Dhaka to Kushtia on 31 October, beginning with a rally at Baitul Mukarram National Mosque. Azad also dismissed rumours that the coalition was fracturing.
NCP alleges India-BNP ties
Separately, National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam criticized the prime minister’s remarks during an outreach event in Kawran Bazar.
“His remarks are unfortunate. The opposition is not reaching an understanding with anyone,” Nahid said. “Rather, the BNP contested the election through an arrangement with the Awami League and India. That is why, despite a change of government, the state structure remains unchanged.”
