Bangladesh’s student-led party forms alliance with Jamaat-e-Islami; expert calls tie-up ‘opportunistic’

The development comes in the backdrop of acting chairman of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Tarique Rahman, filing his nomination papers for polls.

The NCP was formed in February, this year, and portrayed itself as a pro-democratic force to end the two-party dominance of Hasina’s Awami League (AL) and the BNP, who have traditionally formed governments in the South Asian country.

The Awami League, which was the major political force in the country, was banned in May, while Hasina was sentenced to death by the country’s International Crimes Tribunal (ICT-BD) in November.

‘An opportunistic alliance’

The NCP’s alliance with Jamaat has come under fire as the Islamist party has long faced criticism for opposing Bangladesh’s independence from Pakistan in 1971 and its alleged role in war crimes.

Dr Sanjay K Bhardwaj, professor at the School of International Studies, New Delhi-based Jawaharlal Nehru University, told indianexpress.com that the alliance is “more opportunistic than ideological”.

“Ideologically, the NCP and Jamaat are fundamentally different. Jamaat positions itself as a custodian of Islamic principles, while the NCP frames itself as a democratic, anti-corruption force. Their alliance is more opportunistic than ideological, driven by a shared political objective: countering BNP’s electoral dominance,” Bhardwaj said.

Although impactful during the revolution, the electoral future of the NCP seemed bleak in opinion polls. A survey conducted earlier in December by a US-based think tank showed the NCP in a distant third place with 6 per cent support, behind the BNP at 30 per cent and Jamaat at 26 per cent, news agency Reuters reported.

The Jamaat had not been allowed to contest any elections since 2013, after a court declared its registration as a political party conflicting with Bangladesh’s secular constitution. However, the interim government led by chief adviser Muhammad Yunus revoked the restrictions on the party in August 2024.

Students’ role in Bangladesh’s politics

“Students and teachers have historically played a central role in Bangladesh’s politics, from the creation of the Muslim League in Dhaka to the Liberation War in 71. But this time, their movement sought democratic reform and accountability,” Bhardwaj said.

Outlining the background of the 2024 uprising, he said: “The student movement emerged from deep frustration—over unemployment, corruption, authoritarian governance, and a winner-takes-all political system. The movement sought democratic reform. However, there was reemergence of other political forces that had remained dormant, including Islamist groups.”

“While the quota issue triggered protests last year, it was only one among many grievances. Teachers, students, and professionals were dissatisfied with governance, pay structures, and democratic erosion,” he added.

The 2024 uprising in Bangladesh was sparked by a backlash against the quota system. Since its war of independence from Pakistan in 1971, the country had always reserved 30 per cent of all civil service roles for veterans and their descendants.

Hasina’s government had scrapped the quota system in 2018, but a lower court reinstated it in 2024, sparking protests, following which the government imposed a curfew. The Supreme Court later directed that 93% of government jobs be open to candidates on merit as protests turned deadly. However, the uprising spiraled in into a revolution leading to her Hasina’s regime getting toppled on August 5.

‘No government in Bangladesh can afford to ignore India’

Noting the possibility of BNP’s return to power after nearly two decades, Bhardwaj said that “no government in Bangladesh can afford to ignore India due to deep economic, geographic, and security interdependence.”

“Even if BNP returns to power, relations with India will continue, though China may gain greater influence. Pakistan’s role, however, will remain limited,” he added.

Tarique Rahman, the son of former Bangladeshi president Ziaur Rahman and ex-Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, returned to Bangladesh last week after a 17-year exile and filed his nomination papers on Monday.

BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman waves to supporters upon his return. (PTI Photo)

On the other hand, former PM Hasina has remained in India since her ouster in 2024. The interim government in Bangladesh called her death sentence a “historic verdict,” and asked the Indian government to hand her over.

India has not formally responded to Dhaka’s demands.