Al Jazeera reports Jamaat emerges as surprise power contender
Staff Reporter :
Bangladesh’s once-banned Islamist party Jamaat-e-Islami has emerged as a serious power contender in the country’s upcoming national election, with Al Jazeera reporting that Jamaat may be positioned to lead a future governing alliance for the first time in its chequered political history.
In a wide-reaching report published ahead of the 12 February 2026 election, Al Jazeera described Jamaat’s rapid political resurgence as one of the most striking developments of the post-Hasina era, noting that the party has rebuilt momentum through grassroots mobilisation, alliance-building and a new campaign narrative centred on “clean politics” and anti-corruption.
The report frames the election as Bangladesh’s most decisive political contest in decades — the first national vote since the 2024 uprising forced long-time Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from power, and a poll being overseen by an interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus.
Jamaat’s comeback: from banned to ‘potential kingmaker’
Al Jazeera emphasised the dramatic nature of Jamaat’s re-entry into mainstream politics after years of restriction and controversy, arguing that a combination of voter anger over corruption, public exhaustion with traditional parties, and a new youth-driven political atmosphere has created space for Jamaat to expand far beyond its usual support base.
Jamaat leaders and supporters, particularly in Dhaka and key districts, are presenting their movement as a moral alternative to what they describe as decades of violent patronage politics.
The report, however, also highlights Jamaat’s contested past — including long-standing criticism over its stance during the Liberation War — and notes that the party’s ability to lead nationally would depend on whether voters accept its political rebranding as genuine.
BNP still a major force
Despite Jamaat’s rise, Al Jazeera and other international reporting underline that the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) remains a dominant contender with strong nationwide mobilisation and a campaign strategy focused on economic relief.
Campaigning formally began this week, with BNP leader Tarique Rahman rallying supporters and pushing populist pledges aimed at cost-of-living pressures.
Political analysts say BNP benefits from larger organisational reach and a wider base across districts, while Jamaat’s strength increasingly lies in discipline, alliance influence, and protest-era credibility among voters seeking a break from “old politics.”
Social media battle shaping the ‘winning party’ narrative
Al Jazeera’s election coverage also identifies Bangladesh’s online landscape as a key battleground, warning that the contest is being fought not only through street rallies but through TikTok, Facebook and YouTube — platforms used by tens of millions of voters.
The report points out that digital messaging is shaping perceptions of which party is “winning” in real time, even before ballots are cast.
What could decide the winner
Analysts quoted across international coverage say the outcome could turn on:
• youth turnout and first-time voters
• the credibility of welfare promises versus anti-corruption narratives
• alliance-making and seat-sharing deals
• stability of the campaign period and election day security
With both BNP and Jamaat framing themselves as the rightful successor to post-Hasina Bangladesh, the election is increasingly being cast as a fight between two visions: economic rescue politics versus moral reform politics.
The bottom line
Al Jazeera’s reporting does not declare a guaranteed winner — but it signals a major shift in Bangladesh politics: Jamaat is no longer only a marginal force or supporting partner. It is being discussed internationally as a possible leader of power.
As the campaign accelerates toward February 12, the central question may no longer be whether Jamaat will win seats — but whether Bangladesh’s next government will be shaped, or even led, by its most controversial comeback story.