Jamaat leader Abdullah Mohammad Taher believes that there is never a void in mainstream politics. The existing political parties will fill that gap. He told Prothom Alo that due to the 15-year role of the Awami League, the party has lost its appeal among the general public. He said that those who supported fascism within the party have fled, and those who did not are now aligned with “the two major parties”.
Now a question arises whether in the situation of vacuum created by the absence of Awami League, there will be a significant growth of Jamaat or Islamist groups if BNP comes to power. Although BNP policymakers have not publicly stated their stance, they probably want the Awami League to somehow remain in the election to ensure a credible election process.
In this context, Jamaat and anti-discrimination student movement have different positions. Jamaat demands prosecution of Awami League, while Anti-Discrimination Student Movement supports banning of Awami League. BNP leader Ameer Khasru Mahmood Chowdhury clarified his stand, saying, “Our position is clear, we are not in favor of imposing restrictions on anyone. If I believe in democracy, there is no alternative to elections.”
The recent contradictory stances of BNP and Jamaat have been termed by their leaders as an expression of ‘differences’ or their respective party’s viewpoints. However, political analysts believe that, as the situation unfolds, these ‘differences’ may eventually turn into a serious conflict.
Ultimately, Professor Mahbubullah believes that if the two parties maintain their opposing stances and go to the polls, both of them will suffer losses. He said Awami League’s participation in the upcoming elections remains unclear and even among those involved in the movement, discord is increasing. A significant portion of their voters and supporters overlap, so it is uncertain how their relationship will develop by election time.
*Selim Zahid, special correspondent at Prothom Alo