'Jamaat's tension with BNP is increasing'

Recently, the relationship between BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami has been strained after the fall of Sheikh Hasina's government in an anti-discrimination student uprising. Despite an alliance of nearly 25 years, the leaders of the two parties have recently been taking opposite stances on political issues, including taunting each other.

In this regard, the contemporary report titled 'Tension between BNP and Jamaat is increasing' says that although there is an alliance between BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami for almost 25 years, tension has arisen after the fall of Sheikh Hasina's government. The leaders of the two parties have been taunting each other recently. Taking a contrary position on political issues.

BNP is pressuring the interim government to hold elections at the earliest. Jamaat on the contrary. Muhammad Yunus-led government is not being pressured. The two parties also have different views on pardoning political opponents. And there is an ongoing conflict over the appointment of its own people in the civil administration, police and universities.

The dispute between the Chhatra Dal and the Islami Chhatra Shibir regarding consolidation of positions in universities and colleges is also very public. BNP believes that Jamaat is getting more support from the interim government. However, some leaders of the two parties think that since Awami League is not in the field, it is necessary to have competition between BNP and Jamaat for the sake of democracy. Or the situation could arise as the Jatiya Party became the 'pet opposition party' of the Awami League.

BNP formed alliance with Jamaat in 1999 to prevent Awami League. In 2001, the coalition formed the government. Despite ups and downs in the relationship, the alliance did not break.

Kal Kantha's report titled 'Initiative to form a large Islamic alliance' says that Bangladesh's Islamic and like-minded parties have taken the initiative to form a large alliance and build a strong position in the country's politics. The leaders of the parties have started meeting with each other to unite for a common purpose.

Several leaders of Islamic and like-minded parties told Kal Kantha that most of the leaders and workers of Islamic political parties have been oppressed in the last 15 years under the authoritarian regime of Awami League. So the top leaders are feeling the urge to bring the Islamic parties under one umbrella. Their hope is that in the changed political situation after the popular uprising, a new force may emerge in politics if Islamist parties form a grand coalition.

Despite their differences of opinion, they have decided to unite for the common purpose of forming a state in the light of Islamic polity. The two leading Islamic parties, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and Islami Andolan Bangladesh, are somewhat ahead in the formation of 'Islamic Alliance'.

The two parties are discussing alliance formation with old allies like Khilafat Movement, Bangladesh Khilafat Majlis, Jamiat Ulamae Islam Bangladesh and Khilafat Majlis.

Apart from this, they are having regular discussions with Islamic parties like Zaker Party, Nezame Islam Party and Insaniat Biplab.

Dhaka Tribune's report titled 'Teesta water-sharing : Prof Yunus calls for urgent settlement' states that Dr. Muhammad Yunus, Chief Advisor to the Interim Government of Bangladesh, said that his administration has not settled the Teesta for a long time. There is a solution with India to resolve the differences on the water sharing agreement, because delaying it will not benefit any country.

In an interview given to the Press Trust of India, Yunus said that the issue needs to be settled in accordance with international norms, emphasizing the right of downstream countries like Bangladesh to fair distribution of water. Even if Bangladesh is not completely satisfied, knowing how much water they will get is at least better than endless uncertainty, the Nobel laureate said.

Asked whether the interim government would push for a speedy resolution of the Teesta water-sharing agreement, he said, “Pressure is a very difficult word… We will continue to make efforts.” But we have to sit together to solve this crisis.

A water sharing agreement between the two countries was almost finalized during the then Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's visit to Dhaka in 2011. The deal stalled after West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee refused to ratify it citing water scarcity in her state.

According to the report titled 'ACC in search of smuggling 90 thousand crores' of Bangladesh daily, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has started an investigation to find about 90 thousand crore rupees smuggled out of the country by 29 former ministers, state ministers and MPs of the Awami League government. Among them are eight ministers, six ministers of state and 15 MPs.

ACC Secretary said, investigation has been started on allegations of money laundering of former MP-ministers. Appropriate action is being and will be taken as per the law to find out what amount of wealth has been laundered in any country.

Among the accused are former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan, ICT State Minister Junaid Ahmed Palak, Power Minister Nasrul Hamid Bipu, Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan.

The report explains the mountain of wealth that the accused have accumulated inside and outside the country. There has been extensive discussion on several corruption news.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) had specific information about the acquisition of illegal assets by 31 influential people before the Awami League government was toppled in a mass coup, according to the report titled 'Then 'Courage' Not Found, ACC Acts Now'. But due to the situation the independent ACC did not have the 'courage' to do anything then. Now after the interim government took over, the ACC has taken a policy decision to investigate those influential people. Investigation has already started against some of them.

There are 11 ministers-state ministers (now former) in the list of influential people. There are 19 former members of Parliament. Apart from this, there is also the son of a late minister. The ACC received specific allegations of illegal acquisition of wealth against them between 2018 and 2020 when Awami League was in power. But due to lack of 'hint' from the government no investigation was started against anyone.

Multiple sources related to the investigation of the ACC told Prothom Alo that the ACC has a directive to investigate allegations of acquiring assets outside known income and money laundering abroad. Source of income, financial transactions, assets held in different names, house and office of the accused should be searched. This is not working properly. This is because in many cases permission is not obtained even if it is necessary to go outside for the search. ACC commission is responsible for granting this permission.

Bangladesh /FM