In the aftermath of the August 5, 2024 student–citizen uprising that toppled the Sheikh Hasina government, Bangladesh’s political landscape has shifted dramatically within a short period. With the top leadership of the Awami League fleeing the country and the party’s organisational structure collapsing, the possibility of a major power transition has become stronger than at any time in recent years. Yet this sudden political vacuum has also created new challenges for two long-standing allies— the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami—both struggling to assert their influence.
Once united in anti-autocracy movements, the two parties now stand in open hostility.
Political Analysts: The Main Battle Is Now Between BNP and Jamaat
Analysts observe that with the Awami League effectively absent from the political field, the core conflict now lies between the BNP and Jamaat. Their shared objective—gaining new leverage at the centre of power—has placed them on a collision course.
While remnants of the Awami League’s administrative network and online propaganda machinery continue to exert influence, Jamaat’s attempt to redefine its political identity has placed fresh pressure on the BNP.
Tarique Rahman’s Remarks Ignite the Dispute
The simmering tensions erupted publicly during the BNP’s virtual discussion programme “Plan to Build the Nation” on December 7. Acting Chairperson Tarique Rahman did not mention Jamaat by name, yet his speech clearly conveyed deep resentment toward the party.
Referring to Jamaat-e-Islami’s role during the 1971 Liberation War, he said the nation had already judged their actions. “The people have not forgotten how they killed hundreds of thousands and violated our mothers and sisters,” he stated. He went on to compare the pre–August 5 violence of 2024 to wartime atrocities.
Many political observers describe Tarique’s comments as the “breaking point” in BNP–Jamaat relations, as no previous exchange between the two parties had been so publicly confrontational.
BNP’s Allegation: Jamaat Is Courting Awami League Supporters
The BNP accuses Jamaat of strategically appealing to traditional Awami League voters and even attempting covert political understandings with the party’s remaining networks.
At a rally in Natore, BNP Executive Committee member Advocate Ruhul Kuddus Talukder Dulu declared, “Those who attacked us for 15 years are now being courted for political survival. The signs are clear.” He urged the public to resist such “collusive politics.”
BNP leaders argue that Jamaat is trying to cast off the burden of past alliances and emerge as an independent force—possibly by attracting disaffected Awami League supporters.
Jamaat’s Counter-Statement: “We Seek the Right to Normal Politics”
Jamaat-e-Islami leaders have strongly rejected BNP’s accusations. According to Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar, the party is merely seeking a legitimate political space.
“With legal restrictions preventing the Awami League from contesting, their supporters still remain,” he said in an interview. “We are appealing to general voters who carry no criminal stigma.”
Jamaat claims the BNP is unfairly weaponising historical grievances to undermine their political competition. Bringing up 1971 repeatedly, they argue, obstructs healthy democratic participation.
A Clash of Narratives: History vs. Political Reality
BNP Standing Committee Member Salahuddin Ahmed responded that the party is not propagating falsehoods but reminding the nation of factual history. “People know who played what role at which point in time. We are merely recalling the truth,” he said.
Jamaat, however, argues that invoking past atrocities serves only to hinder present political realities. These competing narratives have escalated tensions on the electoral field.
A Three-Sided Battle for Power
Current political dynamics reveal three active forces:
BNP: Determined to implement an ambitious plan for state restructuring if elected.
Jamaat-e-Islami: Seeking to reinvent itself as a strong, independent political power.
Residual Awami League Influence: Although out of the election, its voter base and online structures remain operational.
This three-way contest has carved a new dividing line in national politics, with the 2025 election at its centre.
Old Alliances Breaking Down
For decades, the BNP–Jamaat partnership thrived on practical political advantage. But the power vacuum, emerging electoral competition, and shifting alliances have dismantled that equation. Their mutual accusations—over history, strategy, and vote banks—have now turned into direct political confrontation.
Experts warn that this conflict may further destabilise the political environment and could lead to new forms of alliances and polarisation ahead of the upcoming national election.