Samantha Sharmin, Senior Joint Convenor of the National Citizens’ Party, made pointed remarks about Jamaat-e-Islami’s political role, claiming that the Islamist party is not a party of the common people. She argued that Jamaat’s participation in power politics would not strengthen democracy in Bangladesh.
“I have always seen Jamaat and Awami League as two sides of the same coin,” Sharmin said. “If Jamaat thinks that their return to power will benefit democracy, they are mistaken. What’s interesting this time is that while the Awami League once used Jamaat to reach power, now it appears Jamaat is using the Awami League instead. Ironically, Jamaat’s return to power might open the door for the Awami League’s comeback.”
On the contrary, Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar issued a sharp retort, dismissing NCP’s criticism.
“You are a new party,” Porwar said. To compete with Jamaat in politics, you still have a long way to go. Don’t start competing with your father right after being born.
The verbal sparring underscores the growing complexities in Bangladesh’s opposition politics. With the National Citizens’ Party emerging as a fresh voice in the political arena, and Jamaat attempting to reassert its relevance after years of restrictions, tensions over ideological positioning and alliances are intensifying.
Political analysts suggest that these exchanges reflect deeper struggles for influence among opposition groups ahead of future electoral alignments.
TDD/ SHS
