The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is facing internal and external pressure over a proposed collaboration with the Jamaat-e-Islami, a party with a complex history, in its ongoing anti-government movement.
The potential alliance, solely decided by the acting chairman of the party, Tarique Rahman, has ignited fierce debate, raising concerns about its impact on the BNP's image and broader opposition unity.
A member of the party's standing committee is actively working to establish a connection with the Jamaat and intends to bring this matter to the attention and confidence of the top leadership.
The ensuing discussions have already stirred discontent among BNP leaders who were reluctant to comment on this significant development on the record.
Several key leaders, wishing to remain anonymous, expressed their reservations regarding the potential collaboration with the Jamaat.
They highlighted the potential political advantages if the Jamaat joins the movement under a unified platform or banner.
The leaders questioned the logic behind incorporating the Jamaat and its potential impact on the acceptability that the BNP has meticulously cultivated domestically and internationally through peaceful movements and programs over the past five years.
An influential leader said: “The BNP has managed to unite most of the opposition parties against the government. Would incorporating the Jamaat in this crucial situation, align with the policy message that the BNP has been projecting?”
Questions inside party
A prominent BNP leader said: "With key figures like party Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, standing committee member Mirza Abbas, Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, and media cell convener Zahir Uddin Swapan in jail, along with standing committee member Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku being abroad, the absence of key party members is impacting the formulation of the BNP's political strategy.”
He said this raises questions about whether the government is orchestrating this strategy for its own benefit.
Several members of the standing committee said a sudden alignment with the Jamaat may contradict the party's established stance over the last five years.
They accused an internal faction of attempting to tarnish the carefully built image of the BNP.
Another senior leader said: “Three standing committee members, including two senior figures, have been advocating for a swift implementation of the Jamaat policy. A member has been trying to link the Jamaat with the BNP since day one. The ruling party is behind it.”
Barrister Jamiruddin Sircar, another senior member of the standing committee, said, "I don't know whether the BNP will get back with the Jamaat. But I want everyone to continue the protests together.”
In this regard, Jamaat Naib Amir Syed Abdullah Muhammad Taher said: "The process is ongoing. There are different opinions about the name of the banner. These have not been finalized.”
Ganatantra Mancha objection
In this context, the leader of Ganatantra Mancha, a stakeholder in the ongoing simultaneous movement with the BNP, said: “A segment of BNP leaders believes that the support of the Jamaat is needed to return to the streets. However, if such a possibility arises from the BNP side, it is likely that not many parties would align with this new alliance.”
Leaders of opposition parties leading the simultaneous movement against the government recalled the Jamaat's participation in the anti-government movement last year. The Jamaat initially refrained from involvement when the BNP showed reluctance.
Subsequently, after a few months, in June of this year, relations between the two parties improved, leading to their formal alliance since October 28.
Leaders affiliated with the Ganatantra Mancha said that they have no objection to the current arrangement with Jamaat. However, some parties, including the Ganatantra Mancha, raised objections to standing together with Jamaat or continuing the movement under one banner.
Several leaders of the Ganatantra Mancha revealed that an emergency meeting was convened after the BNP informed them about the potential collaboration with Jamaat. Following the meeting, the BNP was informed that placing the Jamaat on the same stage would jeopardize the existing alliance.
An influential leader of the Ganatantra Mancha said: "We aligned with the BNP based on the 31-points and one crucial point, with the primary condition being the absence of Jamaat. Reintroducing this settled matter implies a rejection of the image cultivated over the past one-and-a-half years.
“Excluding the Jamaat has garnered moral support from many parties for the BNP. Consequently, the decision to unite on one stage could prove self-destructive. Importantly, the assumption that the government would fall merely by the Jamaat's inclusion is not accurate," he added.
What will the new alliance look like?
According to discussions with various leaders, it is evident that the Islami Andolan Bangladesh (IAB) will not join if Jamaat is brought under one platform or banner.
Similarly, the Left Democratic Alliance is conducting a separate campaign, with no inclination to join. The Ganatantra Mancha will not be part of this initiative.
In this scenario, approximately 20-25 political parties may unite with BNP in a coalition, including Gono Odhikar Parishad led by Nurul Haque Nur and Gano Forum.
Nurul Haque Nur, president of Gono Odhikar Parishad, explained his support for the BNP's initiative to align with the Jamaat.
He said: "The ongoing simultaneous movement, as it progresses separately, is unlikely to succeed. While various parties in Dhaka may be engaged in processions, outside Dhaka, only the BNP is actively involved. The BNP has forged a union, and the Jamaat also possesses significant manpower. If all parties, including the BNP and Jamaat, unite under one banner, it would be a potent and effective step. People desire the consolidation of all opposition parties on one platform."
Gano Forum General Secretary Advocate Subrata Chowdhury, while acknowledging that the BNP has not formally communicated the issue to them, said that a united front against the government's current policies is imperative.
He said: "If the government persists with its divisive policies, the country will face a crisis. Those opposed to this government, advocating for fair elections, can join forces."
According to sources, those advocating for the inclusion of the Jamaat in the movement argue that it is crucial to prevent the government from unilaterally conducting elections. However, they stress that if the government proceeds unilaterally, the loss would not only be for BNP but also for the state, as indicated by the ruling party.
In this context, Nurul Haque Nur said: "There is no simultaneous movement. They protest one day, and we protest on another. The momentum required to keep the government under pressure is lacking. If all opposition parties stand united at the 20 points in Dhaka, the law enforcers are divided, and their strength diminishes. Succeeding in separate movements is challenging. Given the Jamaat’s manpower, there should be no issue in their participation."
Saiful Haque, a leader of the Ganatantra Mancha, said all opposition parties need to actively contribute to steering the country away from the perils of the government's one-sided electoral activities.
He called upon the top leadership of the BNP to exhibit wisdom and foresight in addressing the existing issues.