Will Jamaat-e-Islami Take to the Streets if Yunus Administration Favors a Political Party?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Jamaat-e-Islami threatens protests if favoritism is shown by the Yunus administration.
- Rafiqul Islam Khan emphasizes the need for government officials to resign if they act as party affiliates.
- The party demands a referendum on the July charter and elections under a PR system.
- Jamaat's rivalry with the NCP intensifies amidst political unrest.
- Bangladesh faces considerable political uncertainty as elections draw near.
Dhaka, Oct 21 (NationPress) The radical Islamist party Jamaat-e-Islami in Bangladesh has issued a strong warning that citizens will take to the streets if any member of the Yunus administration shows favoritism towards a specific political party, according to local media reports.
During a rally held at the north gate of the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque in Dhaka, Jamaat's Assistant Secretary General Rafiqul Islam Khan stated, "If any advisors, secretaries, election commissioners, or police officials choose to act as party affiliates, they must resign. History has shown the consequences for those in the administration who acted as political pawns. Should anyone in a government role serve a political party, the public will not remain passive."
This rally was part of the fourth phase of the simultaneous movement involving Jamaat and seven other Islamist parties, pressing for a five-point agenda that includes a referendum on the July charter in November and the upcoming national elections to be conducted under a Proportional Representation (PR) system, as reported by The Daily Star.
Rafiqul reiterated, "If these demands remain unmet, Jamaat's movement will persist."
Meanwhile, tensions have increased between Jamaat and the National Citizens Party (NCP) regarding the call for a PR system. Jamaat's Secretary General Golam Porwar has advised NCP leaders to refrain from trying to compete with Jamaat.
This statement followed NCP Convener Nahid Islam expressing on social media that Jamaat's 'Proportional Representation (PR) Movement' was merely a political ruse.
Porwar responded, "You are a newly formed student-led political organization. Competing with Jamaat-e-Islami right out of the gate is unwise. We don’t take you seriously at this stage; don’t rush into criticizing us; your journey has just begun," as cited by Prothom Alo.
Bangladesh is currently grappling with heightened uncertainty and political unrest as the next election approaches.
Former allies of Yunus, who previously worked to dethrone the democratically elected Awami League government led by Sheikh Hasina, are now in conflict over reform proposals.