Bangladesh Opposition in Turmoil Ahead of General Elections: BNP, Jamaat, and NCP in War of Words
Dhaka | July 15, 2025 — With general elections approaching in Bangladesh, the country’s opposition alliance — once united against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League — is showing visible cracks. In a flurry of press conferences, rallies, and public statements, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), the radical Islamist party Jamaat-e-Islami, and the newly formed National Citizens’ Party (NCP) have been exchanging sharp accusations, undermining the credibility of a unified opposition.
The breakdown in coordination comes at a critical time when political stability and electoral transparency are under the microscope, both domestically and internationally.
Mitford Murder Triggers Political Fallout
The spark igniting the latest political clash was the murder of 43-year-old scrap trader Lal Chand Sohag in Mitford, Old Dhaka, a case that allegedly involves BNP-linked individuals. At a press conference on Monday, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir condemned the killing, calling it a “deliberate attempt to create unrest” and accusing unnamed political forces of exploiting the incident to tarnish the party's image.
But rather than rallying around a unified message, other opposition groups used the opportunity to turn against the BNP.
Jamaat-e-Islami Slams BNP for “Moral Decline”
In a strongly worded address during a Mirpur rally, Jamaat-e-Islami Central Executive Committee member Mohammad Selim Uddin indirectly blasted the BNP without naming it. Referring to the Mitford incident, Uddin said:
“The people have already shown a yellow card. Now, after this incident, they’ve shown a red card to a certain political party.”
He criticized BNP for turning Bangladesh into a “sanctuary for extortionists,” and accused the party of squandering the momentum generated during the “August uprising” — a reference to the unified opposition protests that led to the downfall of the Awami League government.
NCP Escalates Reform Demands Amid BNP Pushback
Further complicating the opposition dynamic, the National Citizens' Party (NCP) renewed its call for sweeping electoral reforms and national reconstruction. These demands have been consistently rejected by BNP, which argues that reforms should not delay elections.
At a Tuesday rally, NCP’s Chief Organiser (South), Hasanat Abdullah, took direct aim at both BNP and Jamaat:
“When we speak against extortion, one party takes offence. When we call out vote rigging, another party is upset.”
Abdullah also accused the Election Commission (EC) of double standards after it initially featured the Awami League's boat symbol on its website — a move the NCP alleged was a clear sign of bias. Following public pressure, the EC later removed the symbol, but the controversy didn’t end there.
The EC’s refusal to grant NCP its proposed Shapla (water lily) symbol also drew fire. Abdullah claimed the nomination process lacks transparency and warned that "a credible election is not possible under this commission."
BNP Rejects Yunus-Led Interim Government’s “Reform Before Elections” Policy
Adding to the discord, BNP lashed out at the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government, which had proposed a "justice and reforms first" roadmap. BNP Standing Committee Member Abdul Moyeen Khan dismissed the proposal outright, asserting that the only priority should be immediate elections to restore the people's right to vote.
“Justice and reform are continuous processes. Elections must not be delayed for restructuring,” said Khan during the party’s member recruitment drive.
BNP’s stance marks a clear break from other opposition factions that initially supported the interim government’s vision following the removal of Sheikh Hasina's Awami League in a controversial political transition.
Once United, Now Divided: Opposition Cracks Widen
The public feud marks a sharp turnaround from just months ago when these opposition parties — joined by student leaders and civil society activists — united to force the resignation of the Awami League. That movement had gained significant traction in urban centres and among the youth, culminating in Hasina’s exit.
But now, the former allies are at each other’s throats, as each jockeys for public support, political legitimacy, and control over the opposition narrative. The public airing of disagreements — ranging from EC bias to extortion allegations and moral failings — has left voters disillusioned and uncertain about the future of Bangladesh’s democracy.
What Lies Ahead?
With elections looming and no unified front in sight, Bangladesh’s opposition appears fragmented, confused, and embroiled in internal power struggles. The Election Commission continues to face criticism over its impartiality, and the Yunus-led interim government is struggling to balance reform with urgency.
Amid this political chaos, the average voter remains skeptical. Without a credible, coordinated opposition to challenge the status quo or ensure electoral fairness, the promise of a truly democratic transition in Bangladesh hangs in the balance.