As campaigning for Bangladesh’s February 12 elections commences, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) cautioned voters against supporting Jamaat-e-Islami, accusing them of collaborating with Pakistani forces during the 1971 Liberation War. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, speaking at an election rally in Thakurgaon district, urged voters not to elect those linked to the past collaboration.
Fakhrul emphasized the importance of upholding the spirit of 1971, highlighting the nation’s identity rooted in the struggle for independence. He reassured the Hindu community, addressing concerns of persecution and urging them not to fear. Amid escalating political tensions, allegations of electoral code violations have surfaced, with opposition parties accused of breaching regulations.
Jamaat and National Citizen Party (NCP) raised concerns over reported assaults on their activists and campaign disruptions. Jamaat’s Assistant Secretary General Ehsanul Mahboob Zubair expressed worries about the situation worsening if not controlled. NCP leaders also decried electoral irregularities, citing instances of attacks on their candidates and lack of administrative intervention.
The political landscape in Bangladesh has become increasingly contentious ahead of the upcoming election, with power struggles intensifying among parties. Former allies now find themselves in fierce competition to secure victory in the polls, setting the stage for a closely watched electoral showdown.
