As Bangladesh prepares for the next general election, Jamaat-e-Islami has crafted a six-point strategy aimed at securing political power. After years of being sidelined from mainstream politics, the party is gearing up to make a strong comeback. 

Jamaat leaders believe the ruling Awami League's policies have left little space for fair political competition and are positioning themselves as a key player alongside the BNP in the opposition.

Jamaat’s Six-Point Election Strategy

Highlighting Awami League's Repression: Jamaat plans to heavily promote the narrative of oppression under Awami League rule. They aim to assure former Awami supporters that the party does not advocate for politics of vengeance and can provide security for all, particularly minorities.

Forming an Anti-Awami League Coalition: The party is working to unite various anti-Awami League factions, including both religious and secular groups. Jamaat intends to build a coalition with parties that have previously participated in joint movements, like the BNP, aiming to form a strong electoral alliance.

Pursuing Broader Political Unity: Jamaat seeks to bridge the divide between different factions of Islamic scholars, particularly those from the Alia and Qawmi backgrounds. Led by Jamaat Amir Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, the party has already held discussions with religious leaders, asking for forgiveness for past mistakes and promoting unity.

Delaying Elections for More Time: Jamaat favors a delayed election, as they believe more time will allow them to better organize. The party also predicts that repeated demands from the BNP for early elections may reduce its popularity, while public desire for significant political change continues to grow.

Capitalising on Potential New Political Movements: Jamaat sees the possibility of pressure mounting on the BNP if movements like the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement form a new political party. This would create further challenges for the BNP, which Jamaat hopes to exploit.

Contesting Independently or in Coalition: While Jamaat leaders have expressed doubts about forming an alliance with the BNP for the upcoming election, they believe the election could turn into a "BNP vs. Jamaat" contest if the Awami League does not remain a strong player. Jamaat is exploring the possibility of leading an anti-Awami coalition as the BNP’s main competitor.

Jamaat-e-Islami, which garnered 12.1% of votes in 1991 and 8.6% in 1996 when running independently, is now seeking to reclaim political relevance by adapting its strategy to the current electoral climate.

BDST: 1605 HRS, SEP 23, 2024
MSK