BNP, Jamaat begin electioneering with ‘veiled jabs’ despite pledges to avoid ‘blame politics’

Election campaigning for Bangladesh’s 13th national parliamentary polls formally began today (22 January), as the opening day saw the BNP and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami exchange pointed, though indirect, accusations – despite public commitments to steer clear of blame and criticism.

BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman, while addressing the party’s campaign launch rally in Sylhet, alleged that “a group” is misleading people – particularly women by collecting National ID card details and mobile phone numbers both inside the country and in parts of the Middle East.

Although he did not name any party, his remarks carried clear political implications.

“We have seen vote rigging over the past 15–16 years. Now another political party in this country has become involved in such conspiracies,” he said, without specifying whom he was referring to.

“Before the election, a party is saying it will give this and that … will give tickets. If someone speaks of giving something that does not belong to people, then it is Shirk – because above everything, ownership belongs to Allah,” he said.

His comments contrasted with his statement at an event three days earlier, where he had called for an end to blame politics.

“Politics of blame will not fill people’s stomachs,” he said at the time, urging leaders to focus instead on improving people’s lives.

Besides, Jamaat Ameer Shafiqur Rahman while addressing a party rally today also claimed he did not wish to criticise anyone, but delivered strongly suggestive remarks.

“If fascism comes again wearing a new outfit, it will meet the same fate it faced on 5 August,” he said, without naming any political force.

Referring to the last three elections, Shafiqur Rahman asked, “Do you want to see a new vote robber? We do not want to see any new vote robber.”

He also said, “Those who can prevent their workers from engaging in extortion, land grabbing, misuse of cases, corruption, terrorism, killing people by stoning them, and killing people by running them over with cars, I hope they will be able to gift future Bangladesh to the people.”

Election campaigning for the 13th national polls began today as the Election Commission completed the allocation of symbols to nearly 2,000 candidates contesting in the polls across the country.

Polling is scheduled for 12 February, with voting to take place from morning until late afternoon.

According to EC, campaigning must end 48 hours (10 February) before the start of voting.