Anisul Islam Mahmud, chairman of a faction within the Jatiya Party (JP), has stated that while Jatiya Party is being criticized, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Jamaat-e-Islami also share responsibility. He made the remarks at a press conference held on Saturday (20 September) at Hawladar Tower in Gulshan, Dhaka.

Speaking at the event, Anisul said that by participating in the local government elections and the 2018 national election, and by recognizing the government elected in 2014, BNP, Jamaat, and other parties granted legitimacy to that administration. “The criticism being directed at Jatiya Party for legitimizing the Awami League government should also be shared by BNP and Jamaat,” he remarked.

He added, “The elections we participated in 2014 were held under a legitimately elected government from 2008. BNP and Jamaat, while being part of that parliament, even amended the Constitution to abolish the caretaker government system.”

The JP leader further noted, “Under the 2014 elected government, all parties participated in elections—from local government and city corporation polls to upazila elections. So, did we alone legitimize the 2014 government? You all did as well.”

He continued, “You conducted elections under the 2014 government and thereby legitimized it. Then why participate in elections under the same government in 2018? All parties, including BNP leaders who were elected, did not boycott parliament—they were present. Therefore, the blame being placed solely on us should also be shared by you.”