The gridlocked relationship between the BNP government and Jamaat-e-Islami is souring further over the July Charter’s implementation, an administrative purge, and alleged discrimination in regional development funding.
Insiders in both the parties reveal that the post-Awami League optimism for close coordination has completely soured into friction, setting the stage for a volatile new political polarisation.
While the July Charter remains the flashpoint, a deeper institutional war is brewing behind the scenes.
Jamaat is increasingly aggrieved by what it views as a calculated strategy to sideline the party. This includes the government’s aggressive moves to purge Jamaat loyalists from the board of Islami Bank, alongside sweeping cancellations of pro-Jamaat appointments across the civil administration and educational sectors, according to leaders from different tiers.
A number of Jamaat MPs alleged discrimination in development funding. They claim work in their constituencies is being directed by the ruling party’s female MPs, and that special allocations favour treasury bench members while depriving the opposition.
They also pointed to the ruling party’s exerting absolute dominance over school and college governing bodies, leaving opposition MPs unable to place preferred candidates in their own constituencies.
Jamaat leaders argue that since taking power, the BNP has made decisions aimed at weakening their political and organisational standing, souring a long-standing alliance.
But the BNP maintains it must govern according to its own policies, making it impossible to meet all opposition expectations, and views Jamaat’s demands as excessive.
Abdul Latif Masum, a retired professor of Government and Politics at Jahangirnagar University, said, “The BNP-Jamaat relationship has clearly deteriorated. The BNP, holding a massive majority, wants to manage everything, including the July Charter, on its own terms. Meanwhile, Jamaat is leveraging pressure to realise its demands. While this friction may not be permanent, if it persists, politics could take a new turn.”
Friction mounts over July Charter implementation
The implementation of the July Charter has emerged as a primary flashpoint between Jamaat-e-Islami and the BNP government.
Jamaat leaders argue the administration has failed to demonstrate progress on the core demands and spirit of the mass uprising, accusing it of dragging its feet on critical political reforms, judicial restructuring, and fundamental commitments.
Conversely, the government claims it remains committed to the charter, insisting the promises will be delivered phasedly.
However, the ruling BNP has reacted poorly to Jamaat’s overt pressure and haste.
Speaking to TIMES of Bangladesh, BNP Standing Committee member Begum Selima Rahman said, “Turning the July Charter implementation process into an issue of political pressure has complicated the situation. The BNP has made specific commitments, yet some quarters are exaggerating the issue, something the party does not view favourably.”
This growing dissatisfaction was underscored on Tuesday by the coordinated resignation of seven deputy attorneys general and 11 assistant attorneys generals aligned with Jamaat.
In their resignation letters, they explicitly cited a lack of progress on the charter, the cancellation of a separate Supreme Court Secretariat, and the scrapping of an ordinance meant to ensure the independent appointment of judges.
Compounding the tension, the Jamaat-led alliance announced a 36-day programme on Thursday to commemorate the July-August movement and escalate pressure for the charter’s implementation.
Sources in the Jamaat-led alliance indicate that these programmes will intensify immediately after the current budget session, aiming to force the government to accept the demands in the next parliamentary session.
Allegations of administrative and development disparities
Jamaat’s grievances mostly centres on development allocations and administrative bias. The party leaders allege that in constituencies won by Jamaat MPs, female MPs from the ruling party are being deliberately deployed to oversee local development works. Jamaat views this as a calculated strategy to undermine the authority of elected opposition representatives and weaken their political influence at a grassroots level.
Furthermore, they allege that whilst ruling party MPs enjoy special funding allocations, project privileges, and robust administrative backing, opposition lawmakers are being systematically sidelined.
Jamaat’s central executive council member and Dhaka-12 MP, Saiful Alam Khan Milon, said that the government is actively attempting to suppress the party. “There is a distinct tendency within the administration to deny Jamaat any political or structural benefits, leaving their MPs systematically deprived across various fields,” he told TIMES.
Tension over Islami Bank, social institutions
The unfolding crisis surrounding Islami Bank is another major factor undermining the relationship between the government and Jamaat.
Jamaat alleges that the administration has launched a calculated initiative to systematically remove Jamaat-affiliated and party-aligned individuals from the bank’s board of directors.
Furthermore, the party believes the government is extending this “special attention” to target several other financial and social institutions closely linked to its network.
A key example, according to Jamaat insiders, is the government’s swift crackdown on Ad-Din Hospital following a tragic incident involving the deaths of six neonates.
They say that the decision to abruptly revoke the hospital’s licence, without granting the management adequate time to investigate or implement corrective measures, is politically motivated and forms part of a broader administrative campaign to dismantle Jamaat’s institutional footprint.
According to Saiful Alam Khan Milon, the government is also paying “special attention” to institutions that are known to be under the control of Jamaat supporters, including Islami Bank.
Govt draws a line over ‘unjustified demands’
Unsurprisingly, the view from the government benches is entirely different.
The ruling BNP is making it clear that it will not be held to ransom by any political party.
Speaking to TIMES, Shariful Alam, the BNP’s Organising Secretary and State Minister for Jute and Textiles, struck a firm tone, “No decision within the civil administration, financial institutions, or development sector will be dictated by the pressure or expectations of any single party.”
Shariful Alam suggested that while campaigning together is one thing, governing is quite another. “A shared history on the protest trail does not rewrite the realities of statecraft,” he said.
“Once in power, the government must steer the ship according to its own blueprint and national policies. Consequently, it is simply impossible to cater to every opposition expectation,” he added.
