London Joint Statement: Jamaat warns of ‘erosion of trust’

Staff Reporter :

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has raised concerns over the political neutrality of Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, following his recent joint media appearance in London with BNP’s acting chairman, Tarique Rahman. The party cautioned that such actions could undermine public trust in the interim government ahead of the next general election.

In a strongly worded statement issued on Saturday after a meeting of its central executive committee, Jamaat criticised the Chief Adviser’s conduct during his London visit, particularly the joint press conference and shared statement issued with a single political party. The party argued that these actions were inconsistent with the norms of political impartiality and ethical governance.

“By issuing a joint statement abroad with only one political party, the Chief Adviser has exhibited a clear bias, which damages his image as a neutral figure,” the statement said. The meeting was chaired by Jamaat Ameer, Shafiqur Rahman.

Photographs circulated on social media showed Professor Yunus shaking hands with Tarique Rahman at the Dorchester Hotel in London – a moment Jamaat described as symbolising “a concerning departure from neutrality,” particularly at a sensitive time in the country’s political calendar.

While acknowledging that meetings between the Chief Adviser and various political parties are to be expected, Jamaat criticised the format and publicity surrounding the London engagement with the BNP.

“The Chief Adviser, in his address to the nation on 6 June, presented a roadmap towards a general election in April 2026. To then issue a joint press statement abroad with only one political party immediately after that speech goes against established political conventions in Bangladesh,” the party said.

Jamaat warned that such conduct could cast doubt over the credibility of the upcoming elections. “In a country with a diverse political landscape, it is neither justifiable nor ethical to engage only one party on major national issues and then appear jointly before the media. This raises legitimate concerns about whether the elections will be genuinely free and fair.”

Although historically aligned with the BNP, Jamaat has found itself politically marginalised in recent years. Nonetheless, the party stopped short of condemning the caretaker administration outright, instead issuing a cautionary appeal.

“We call upon the interim government to remain strictly nonpartisan and to ensure a level playing field for all political stakeholders,” the statement said. “The Chief Adviser must clarify his position to the nation to dispel any ambiguity regarding the caretaker government’s neutrality and its commitment to a credible electoral process.”

This marks Jamaat’s first public reaction to the Yunus-Tarique meeting, and may signal rising tensions within the broader opposition bloc – especially if other parties perceive themselves as excluded from ongoing political dialogue.