BNP to avoid conflicts with both the government and Jamaat

The BNP has adopted a strategy to avoid conflict or disputes with three key groups: the interim government, Jamaat-e-Islami, and the student leadership of the recent mass movement. This approach is intended to facilitate their participation in the upcoming national election. BNP policymakers believe that maintaining a cooperative relationship with these groups is necessary to ensure the party’s involvement in the election process. While exerting political pressure on the government, BNP is avoiding any direct confrontations at this stage.

This strategy also applies to BNP’s relationship with Jamaat-e-Islami, primarily for electoral considerations. The BNP plans to roll out public programs in the new year, pushing for an election roadmap, and will introduce a 31-point reform proposal as part of a national campaign to engage with the public on these changes.

To build awareness, BNP will organize training workshops in 10 divisional cities, where leaders will distribute booklets detailing the reform proposals. Grassroots leaders will then initiate a broader public outreach, followed by on-the-ground activities demanding elections by March or April. These ongoing programs aim to pressure the interim government to set an election timeline, a message emphasized during a large BNP procession in Dhaka on November 8.

BNP leaders remain cautious about the political landscape, especially regarding the interim government, Jamaat-e-Islami, and student leaders. Party insiders observe that Jamaat-e-Islami has shown a desire for increased political influence since the August 5 mass uprising, with leaders openly pushing for constitutional reforms and the president’s resignation—stances not fully aligned with BNP’s.

This divergence in views between BNP and Jamaat on constitutional reform, the role of the president, and proportional parliamentary representation has become apparent. While Jamaat is focused on broader reforms, BNP remains primarily committed to election preparations, fearing that Jamaat’s emphasis on reforms could prolong the interim government’s stay in power.

Amid these differences, some friction has also emerged between BNP and Jamaat supporters, particularly over appointments in education, administration, and other government sectors. Nevertheless, BNP's acting chairman Tarique Rahman has instructed party members to avoid any conflicts with Jamaat. This stance was reinforced in a recent BNP standing committee meeting, where senior leaders emphasized the importance of maintaining communication with Jamaat for electoral unity.

BNP standing committee member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury denied specific discussions about Jamaat at the meeting but stressed the need for a national unity to prevent the return of autocratic rule. Party sources indicate that the BNP expects the government to announce an election roadmap by December, failing which they will intensify field-level activities from March-April next year.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir emphasized in recent remarks that national unity is crucial on fundamental issues such as democracy, human rights, and sovereignty. He also stressed that the interim government should focus on the election roadmap, leaving broader reforms to the elected government and parliament.