Standing at the edge of a national parliamentary election, Bangladesh seems to be carrying the weight of the past, the tensions of the present, and the promises of the future all at once. From the north to the south, from plains to hills, the election field is alive with heated speeches, sharp accusations, assurances, and competing dreams.
In Thakurgaon, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir told a public rally, “We will not forget ’71, and we will not forget ’24. We achieved independence through war to build a free, democratic, and secular Bangladesh.” His words were not only a political attack on Jamaat-e-Islami. He reminded the crowd that Jamaat had supported the Pakistani army in 1971, a history that still shapes political language today.
While listing development projects, he mentioned major roads, colleges and madrasas, maize farming, and Barind tube wells. He also addressed the Hindu community, saying, “Do not be afraid. Your safety is the responsibility of the state and of all of us.” Calling himself an “old and tested leader,” he said this would be his last election. He described the vote as a “trust” and pledged to protect it.
A response to this message came from Jamaat-e-Islami’s rally at Etim Field in Naogaon. Ameer Shafiqur Rahman challenged the politics of fear. He asked, “Why should non-Muslims live in fear whenever there is a situation?” He said his party wants to break this culture of fear completely. Speaking about minority rights, he criticised past governments and referred to attacks on Santal communities.
He stressed that everyone is a citizen of this country. His words on women’s safety were strong. He promised dignity and security for women at home, on the streets, and at workplaces. He warned that if women face abuse, people will rise again in protest. On corruption, he took a hard line. He said there would be no tolerance for extortion, bank looting, or false cases.
He promised action against those who, in his words, “filled their pockets” over the last 54 years. On development, he described Naogaon as a future agricultural capital, with four-lane roads, storage facilities, fruit processing industries, and tourism.
Alongside political promises, concerns about security are also growing. In Khagrachari, four candidates held a joint press conference. They said most of the 203 polling centers are risky or highly risky. They warned about armed groups, forced occupation of centers, and voter intimidation in the hill areas. They demanded that the army be given magistracy powers before voting begins.
In Chapainawabganj, Jamaat’s ameer again placed justice at the centre of his message. He said the law must be equal for everyone, whether an ordinary citizen or the president. Using the slogan “We want justice,” he linked it to recent movements.
Meanwhile, in Jhalakathi, Islami Andolan Bangladesh Ameer Syed Muhammad Rezaul Karim strongly criticised Jamaat. He said, “Jamaat has not spoken about Islam anywhere.” He called for running the country based on Shariah and blamed political rulers for corruption over the past 54 years. His sharp remarks against Jamaat also showed deep divisions within Islamic politics.
Between these big speeches, the election code of conduct is also being enforced. In Madaripur-02, independent candidate Kamrul Islam Sayeed was fined Tk2,000 for putting banners on his vehicle. This showed the Election Commission’s attempt to apply the rules.
But in another part of Madaripur, in Shibchar, a very different picture emerged. Slogans like “Joy Bangla, Joy Bangabandhu,” usually linked to the Awami League, were heard in support of BNP’s sheaf-of-paddy symbol. Former Awami League leaders openly supported a BNP candidate in courtyard meetings. This surprised voters and made political calculations more complex.
