Campaign heats up as parties trade barbs

Abu Jakir  :

Election campaigning for the 13th Jatiya Sangsad elections gathered momentum across the country on Thursday, the second day of official electioneering, with political parties intensifying rallies, exchanging sharp accusations and unveiling sweeping promises aimed at winning voter support ahead of the February 12 general elections.
Nearly 2,000 candidates are contesting the polls across 298 constituencies. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has fielded candidates in 285 seats, while Jamaat-e-Islami is contesting in 243 constituencies, according to election officials.
As part of its campaign, BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman addressed a series of rallies in seven districts, urging voters to support candidates contesting under the party’s “sheaf of paddy” symbol as well as those backed through seat-sharing arrangements.
Addressing a rally in Sylhet on Thursday, Tarique Rahman accused Jamaat-e-Islami of misleading voters—particularly women—by offering what he described as “tickets to heaven” in exchange for votes. He further alleged that the party had long deceived the public to gain political support.
Speaking later at a massive public gathering in Narsingdi,
Tarique warned that politics rooted in religious division, hypocrisy and deceit posed a serious threat to the country. Referring to recent earthquakes, he suggested they could serve as a warning against falsehood and religious exploitation.
“Several earthquakes have occurred recently. These could be a message—people are being warned because of lies, hypocrisy and deception,” he said, urging citizens to remain vigilant against what he termed “evil forces.”
In response, Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar strongly condemned Tarique Rahman’s remarks. Speaking at an election rally in Gutudia Union of Dumuria upazila on Friday morning, Parwar said no Muslim had the right to label another believer as non-Muslim.
“A person who believes in Allah, the Prophet and the Hereafter cannot declare another believer a kafir. This is not permissible and constitutes a grave offence,” he said.
Parwar questioned Tarique Rahman’s political maturity, remarking that despite having lived and studied in London, the BNP leader appeared to be issuing religious verdicts. “He has no authority to decide who is Muslim and who is not. Even from a political standpoint, such remarks lack courtesy and decency,” he added.
Touching on electoral politics, the Jamaat leader said the struggle for power had shifted from weapons to ballots, asserting that Islam does not support violence, terrorism or forceful seizure of power. He reiterated Jamaat-e-Islami’s commitment to democratic and constitutional means of political change.
Parwar also claimed that opposition to Jamaat stemmed from fears that the election of “honest individuals” would end corruption, terrorism and repression.
Meanwhile, National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam alleged that a major political party had become fearful after witnessing growing public support for the 10-party alliance ahead of the polls. Speaking at a rally in Banshtola of Bhatara in Dhaka on Friday, he accused opponents of spreading misinformation and fear among voters.
He vowed to resist extortionists and land grabbers in the upcoming election, declaring that there would be no place for such elements in Dhaka-11 constituency. Nahid also warned against attempts to seize polling centres, stating that party activists would guard every centre.
“We have not retreated even after facing bullets, and we will not retreat from polling centres either,” he said.
NCP spokesperson Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan said the post-uprising political landscape had altered traditional electoral calculations, hinting at shifting voter dynamics in the upcoming polls.
Speaking at a rally at Rabindra Sarobar in Dhanmondi on Friday afternoon, Asif Mahmud accused the Election Commission and other institutions of showing partisan bias. He warned that any irregularities in the election could trigger resistance similar to the July movement.
He also cautioned the current Election Commission by recalling the fate of commissioners involved in organising previous controversial elections, saying such situations should not be repeated.
Meanwhile, BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed accused an unnamed political force of engaging in “misleading politics by serving foreign masters,” asserting that BNP remained the only party truly committed to Bangladesh’s sovereignty.
Addressing a street rally in Chakaria upazila of Cox’s Bazar on Friday, Salahuddin said forces aligned with India had already fled the country, while another group continued to mislead the public by serving foreign interests. He also stressed the need to ensure that fascism never returns, warning that the resurgence of undemocratic forces would ultimately harm everyone.
As campaigning continues nationwide, the election environment remains highly charged, with parties sharpening rhetoric and mobilising supporters in the run-up to the February 12 polls.