Shafiqur Rahman says BNP is an “exact photocopy” of Awami League era ‘fascist’ practices
In a Nutshell:
- Jamaat e Islami chief Shafiqur Rahman questioned the appointment of a BNP activist as an Election Commission additional secretary on a one year contract.
- He criticised the attack on NCP activist Alif Hossain in Habiganj and demanded to know why similar violence was continuing after the July Uprising.
Why it matters
Shafiqur Rahman is accusing the BNP led government of bringing back the same type of political influence he says defined the Awami League era, despite the July Uprising being based on demands for change. He said that after a movement that came at a heavy cost, he sees no meaningful difference in the BNP led government’s actions, citing the appointment of a BNP activist as an Election Commission additional secretary, the secretary rank appointment of a political figure, and the attack on NCP activist Alif Hossain as examples. The BNP led government has yet to respond to these accusations, but the allegations could challenge its claim of building a fairer political system after the July Uprising.
What we think
The BNP led government will be judged by whether it can show that the concerns raised before and during the July Uprising are being addressed under its watch. That means proving that political connections do not decide access to state positions and that party supporters are not allowed to act with impunity to suppress opposition parties. If the same practices that drew public anger under the Awami League return, the BNP led government risks facing criticism that the July Uprising has not brought the changes people expected in how state institutions work.
