Jamaat-e-Islami and seven like-minded parties are gearing up to launch a vigorous campaign against corruption, extortion, and irregularities — a move that several senior leaders from the alliance acknowledge is primarily aimed at BNP.
At the same time, the parties plan to build public opinion against “India-backed” political forces gaining power in Bangladesh, according to insiders familiar with the strategy.
BNP is reportedly working on counter-strategies to prevent what it considers “misinformation” targeting the party. Several senior BNP leaders said they were already aware that Jamaat and its allies might initiate such a campaign.
According to sources, the eight-party alliance has called for rallies across the seven divisions between 30 November and 6 December. These rallies will campaign strongly for a “Yes” vote in a proposed referendum to implement the July Charter.
While emphasising the need for reforms, senior leaders of these parties intend to highlight incidents of extortion and land grabbing that, they claim, emerged after the fall of the previous Awami League government in the July Uprising last year.
Jamaat’s Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar told TIMES of Bangladesh, “We have already taken to the streets with strong anti-corruption messaging. This will be amplified on a larger scale at the eight-party divisional rallies.
“After the government’s fall, people have started rejecting a certain major party because of the way it immediately resorted to corruption and land grabbing. There is nothing new left to say to identify that party.”
BNP, however, said it is preparing to counter any misinformation campaign against the party.
“Some parties have already begun spreading misinformation against BNP, and this trend may intensify in the coming days. But such propaganda will not hold up among our grassroots supporters. Even so, BNP will present accurate information. The party has already begun working on this,” said BNP Standing Committee member Selima Rahman.
BNP and Jamaat have already entered the election campaign stage, frequently criticising each other in public speeches.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has repeatedly highlighted Jamaat’s controversial role during the 1971 Liberation War at rallies and meetings, while Jamaat Ameer Shafiqur Rahman has been openly accusing BNP of corruption.
Following the July Uprising, several Islamic parties – which have taken a strategic stance in favour of banning the Awami League and the Jatiya Party – have also begun speaking publicly against BNP. They allege that BNP does not want those two parties banned because it seeks to come to power in the next election with “India’s favour.”
The Islamic parties further claim that the BNP is not sincere about implementing the July Charter, which aims to reform the country’s traditional political structure. According to these parties, BNP has begun campaigning for a “No” vote in the referendum, going against the proposed new political framework.
Senior leaders of the eight-party alliance say they will highlight various aspects of the Awami League, BNP and Jatiya Party’s time in power at their upcoming divisional rallies.
The alliance includes Jamaat, Islami Andolan Bangladesh, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis, Khelafat Majlis, Nezame Islam Party, Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon, Bangladesh Development Party and the Jatiya Ganatantrik Party.
Rashed Prodhan, vice-president and spokesperson of the Jatiya Ganatantrik Party, told TIMES, “We are not targeting any specific party. We will speak against whoever is involved in extortion or irregularities. If that criticism happens to affect a particular party, that is beyond our control.”
An Islami Andolan Bangladesh leader, speaking on condition of anonymity, said, “Beyond rallies, the Islamic parties will take multiple initiatives in the digital space to campaign against BNP or any individuals involved in extortion.”
Meanwhile, a source in BNP’s media cell said the party is preparing counter-narratives emphasising that if Islamic parties come to power, religious extremism may strengthen, gender-based discrimination in workplaces may rise, and their foreign policy approach could resemble Taliban-style governance.
The source added that these parties’ views on statecraft remain unclear to the public. BNP also plans to bring Jamaat’s role in 1971 to the forefront. These points may feature prominently in the party’s campaign either in early December or immediately after the election schedule is announced.
