BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami were allies of each other for two-and-a-half decades. They combined the street fight and vote count together. But the July coup and its aftermath changed all calculations. Both these parties are now the main rivals of each other in the upcoming national elections. So those who have spoken in unison for so long in the polling field, are now throwing arrows of attack at each other. Keeping all this in mind, BNP is deciding the strategy for election campaign.
Joint Secretary General of BNP, Syed Imran Saleh Prince, told today’s newspaper on Tuesday, “Jamaat is spreading misinformation about BNP, knowing that it will not be able to fight elections with BNP.” They are trying to attract the voters by saying that if they vote on the scales, they will go to heaven.’
When asked what strategy BNP is making to prevent this campaign, Imran Saleh said, ‘Everything is open, there is no secret mission. Our strategy is the same—we are going to the voters, telling them about the plan. I hope people will choose BNPK.’
The formal tie-up between BNP and Jamaat started after the formation of a four-party alliance ahead of the 2001 elections. This coalition won that election and came to power. Jamaat also got a place in the cabinet along with BNP. Since then, the two parties have jointly passed the electoral process on the basis of alliances and compromises. However, since the 2018 elections, tension between the two parties has started due to various reasons. And in the situation after the 24th mass coup, the positions of the two parties in the field of politics are now directly facing each other. Awami League is unable to hold elections. It is still unclear whether the Jatiya Party will be able to remain in the election or how it will remain. BNP and Jamaat are therefore now each other’s main rivals in the upcoming elections.
For months, the leaders of both the parties have been attacking each other equally. In the political arena, who will punch someone’s weakness is now being rehearsed. When the election campaign begins, this attack to attract votes will intensify.
Sources of BNP say that Jamaat-e-Islami has looked at Awami League’s vote bank ahead of the election. Apart from Awami League, the party also wants to bring home the votes of the minorities. To fulfill this demand, efforts are being made by Jamaat to overcome BNP in the polling field. Against this, BNP is bringing forward the role of Jamaat in 1971.
The leaders of the party are alleging that the BNP is being misled by the Jamaat to defeat it in the polls. They have also accused Jamaat of using religion to attract voters.
However, the party leaders are confident that BNP’s victory cannot be stopped by these propaganda tactics. Khandkar Mosharraf Hossain, a member of BNP’s standing committee, told Ajker newspaper, ‘People’s focus is now on BNP. Even before this, when the people got the opportunity, they put BNP in power. This time the people got that opportunity, so I hope this time will not be an exception.’
BNP is giving special importance to the youth in its election strategy. Apart from organizing meetings and seminars to attract the youth, the party has already made several promises for them. Big leaders including acting chairman and general secretary of the party are trying to reassure them by addressing the youth in various meetings and programs. Referring to the new voters, the acting chairman of the party fixed the slogan, ‘Let the first vote of the youth be for a grain of rice.’ BNP is talking about youth employment initiatives and special plans for them. At the same time, the party has been promising to create employment opportunities for women in various sectors.
BNP has started the preparations for the elections long ago. In the 31 points given by them in the state reform, there is an indication of the election manifesto. After announcing the possible candidates for 237 seats, the policy makers of the party are working on preparing the manifesto for the national election keeping those 31 points in front. The party has also decided to distribute leaflets throughout the country in the election campaign. This decision was taken at the BNP’s highest policy-making forum standing committee meeting held last Monday night. It is said that there was a detailed discussion on the preparation of the election in that meeting.
Regarding the decision to distribute the leaflets, party sources say that when the government comes to power in the coming days, it has been decided to present the action plan in each sector to the people of the country through leaflets. In these leaflets, BNP’s action plan for the development of the country, what steps will be taken to protect the safety and law and order of the citizens, various promises including 31 points for the state repair will be highlighted in these leaflets. BNP will publicize specific plans through separate leaflets with special emphasis on each sector including education, employment, health sector, agriculture and food, industrial sector, business and commerce, sports, administration, corruption prevention. The advantages and disadvantages of each area and the demands of the people will be prioritized in the leaflet. Apart from this, special initiatives will be taken in the leaflets to attract the attention of the young generation and women voters. There will be special instructions to the leaders and workers to deliver these leaflets to every house in the country.
Sources also say that the leaflet will talk about the establishment of an inclusive, non-discriminatory and harmonious state on the basis of Bangladeshi nationalism, encompassing all views and paths, against the politics of revenge and revenge. The government will have to coordinate the powers, responsibilities and duties of the executive department, legal department and judicial department with a view to balancing the executive powers of the Prime Minister and the Cabinet and establishing the balance of state power.
In addition to introducing ‘Upper House Legislature’ in Parliament comprising of eminent citizens and experienced persons; Abolition of symbols in local government elections; Ensuring voting through paper-ballot in all centers and not EVMs in coming days; formation of a ‘Judicial Commission’ to reform the present judiciary and re-introduction of the ‘Supreme Judicial Council’ system on the question of impeachment of judges; Establishing the rule of law at all levels of the country and ending torture including disappearances, murders, extrajudicial killings; On the basis of the principle of ‘Religion belongs to everyone’—the full right and security of people of every religion to practice their own religion is guaranteed and Bangladesh’s interests, sovereignty and national security will be given the highest priority in all aspects of diplomatic relations—the BNP can highlight such a promise to the general voters in the leaflet.
BNP Standing Committee member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury said, ‘The party has started working as planned. BNP is preparing. We have to perform from day one. Chairman Tariq Rahman’s future plans for the country should be conveyed to the people and implemented.
