Jamaat Leader Alleges BNP-Awami League Deal, Warns of Election Fraud in Thakurgaon
DHAKA, Bangladesh — Hamidur Rahman Azad, a coordinator of an 11-party opposition alliance led by Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, accused the government on Friday of conspiring with what he called “fascist forces” to engineer a new political situation. He also alleged an understanding between the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and the Awami League, without presenting independent evidence to substantiate the claim.
Speaking at a briefing at the opposition leader’s official residence on Minto Road in Dhaka, Azad said justice for killings, injuries and other alleged crimes against humanity during the July uprising remained incomplete. He noted that some verdicts had been delivered but not enforced.
Azad, a former lawmaker and Jamaat’s assistant secretary-general, cited statements by BNP leaders about the Awami League’s potential contribution to the party’s electoral vote share, as well as leaked audio recordings purportedly involving former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Shamiim Osman. He alleged that the BNP had not challenged the fear claims that further details of an alleged understanding would emerge.
The allegations were made following a meeting of the liaison committee of the 11-party alliance. No independent evidence establishing an agreement between the BNP and Awami League was presented at the briefing.
Azad rejected government allegations that the Jamaat-led alliance had an understanding with the Awami League, calling the accusations false. He challenged authorities to release any intelligence reports supporting their claims, alleging that the government was relying on politically motivated assessments.
Security concerns and election warnings
Azad disputed the home minister’s assessment that law and order had improved, alleging increases in murder, drug-related crime, bribery, black-market activity and corruption. He also claimed that 40 members of the ruling party had been killed by fellow party members in internal disputes over the past six to seven months. The claims were not independently verified at the briefing.
Turning to the upcoming electoral contest in Thakurgaon, Azad said the alliance had received reports of possible plans to manipulate the vote, similar to alleged irregularities in the Feb. 12 election. He warned the government against attempting electoral fraud and said the alliance would mobilize jointly to prevent it.
Azad invoked the Magura by-election, describing it as a dark chapter in Bangladesh’s electoral history and saying the episode had helped galvanize a movement to oust a government. He urged authorities to abandon any plans to manipulate the Thakurgaon vote.
Asked about security concerns surrounding a planned long march toward Khulna via Gopalganj, Azad said the government bore responsibility for protecting all citizens and ensuring the safety of participants.
He also alleged that political cooperation between the BNP and Awami League extended to business interests, citing the reported awarding of traffic-signal modernization work in Dhaka North City Corporation to people linked to the Awami League. He characterized the arrangement as an example of political and commercial benefit-sharing.
Alliance says unity will continue
Azad said the 11-party alliance would remain intact until the July Charter was implemented, and the outcome of the referendum enforced. His remarks came in response to a question about a separate initiative involving seven Islamic parties associated with the Qawmi religious tradition.
The alliance announced that a long march toward Khulna and Kushtia would begin at 7 a.m. Oct. 31 from the south gate of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque in Dhaka. Planned stops include Naodoba, between Madaripur and Shariatpur; Katakhali in Bagerhat; Babri Chattar and Swadhinata Chattar in Khulna; Murli intersection in Jashore; and the Jhenaidah-Chuadanga bus stand. The program is scheduled to conclude with a rally at Kushtia District High School grounds.
Other participants at the briefing included Jamaat assistant secretary-general Muazzam Hossain Helal; National Citizen Party chief coordinator Nasiruddin Patwary; Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish joint secretary-general Ataullah Amin; Liberal Democratic Party acting secretary-general Billal Hossain Miahzi; and Bangladesh Labour Party Chairman Mostafizur Rahman Iran.
