Bangladesh’s largest Islamist party has entered a new election alliance with a political coalition formed by student leaders of last year’s uprising — a move that has drawn sharp reactions from within the student group itself.
Jamaat-e-Islami, which was heavily suppressed during former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s 15 years in power, is pushing to regain political relevance ahead of the country’s upcoming general election — the first since the 2024 uprising that led to Hasina’s removal from office.
Following lengthy negotiations, Jamaat announced a seat-sharing agreement with the student-backed National Citizen Party (NCP). While senior figures endorsed the deal, several NCP members voiced strong concern, arguing that the alliance went against the party’s founding principles of democratic and centrist politics. Some aspiring candidates, including Tasnim Jara and Tasnuva Jabin, have resigned in protest.
Jamaat leader Shafiqur Rahman also confirmed an additional pact with the Liberal Democratic Party, expanding the alliance from eight to ten political groups. Most parties within the coalition previously held limited parliamentary representation but now see the February 12 election as a rare opening to influence national politics.
The political uncertainty comes at a tense time for the nation’s 170 million citizens. Since the uprising, the re-emergence of Islamist movements has raised anxiety among minority communities — including Hindus and Sufi Muslims — about cultural and religious freedoms. Some hardline groups have already called for restrictions on activities they deem un-Islamic, such as arts festivals, women’s sports, and traditional celebrations.
Within the NCP, over 30 members reportedly urged party chief Nahid Islam to reconsider the alliance, saying it conflicts with the group’s values. Still, Islam defended the move as a strategic decision rather than an ideological alignment, arguing that broader cooperation is needed to secure a fair and competitive election.
The political stage is also shifting as the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) strengthens its position, buoyed by the recent return of acting chairman Tarique Rahman after 17 years abroad. With Hasina’s Awami League barred from the ballot, BNP is widely expected to perform strongly at the polls.
Beyond the headlines, this story reflects a nation still searching for balance — between faith and freedom, reform and stability, unity and division. At its heart are millions of ordinary Bangladeshis hoping that, after years of upheaval, the next chapter finally brings dignity, security, and a voice in shaping their future.
