New Delhi, Dec 29 (NationPress) The upcoming general election in Bangladesh on February 12 is shaping up to be a significant showdown, featuring a Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP)-led coalition opposed by a faction led by the National Citizens Party (NCP) along with Jamaat-e-Islami.

Following the removal of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the Awami League (AL) has been prohibited from participating in the elections due to a ban on its political activities imposed by the interim government.

This marks an unprecedented event since Bangladesh gained independence in 1971, as the AL has dominated national politics since 2009.

Despite calls from international observers for a more inclusive electoral process, the interim administration headed by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has maintained its position.

Hasina, currently in exile in India, has voiced her concerns regarding the fairness of the election, highlighting the exclusion of her party.

In a noteworthy development, the NCP has formed an electoral alliance with nine other parties, including Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami.

The NCP, a newly established, student-led political entity that emerged from the Students Against Discrimination (SAD) movement, has been criticized for its collaboration with Jamaat, resulting in the resignation of some dissenting leaders.

This election presents a crucial opportunity for Jamaat to assert its influence in Bangladesh, a nation where the party has a controversial past linked to its conservative Islamic stance and its involvement in political activities both before and after independence.

The organization originated from the Jamaat-e-Islami movement initiated by Maulana Syed Abul A'la Maududi in British India in 1941, aiming to foster social and political Islam.

Initially, the movement was against the formation of Pakistan and sought a unified Islamic India.

Post-1947 partition, the movement splintered into separate national organizations, leading to the establishment of Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan, whose East Pakistan faction later transformed into Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami.

During the 1971 Liberation War, the party opposed independence and allegedly collaborated with the Pakistan Army, reportedly supporting armed militia groups like the Razakars.

While the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami positions itself as a modern, liberal democratic party grounded in Islam, its constitution clearly states that policies are shaped by religious tenets, aspiring to create an Islamic welfare state.

After Bangladesh's independence, the party faced a ban, with many of its leaders fleeing the country, leading to ongoing debates about their citizenship and political legitimacy under subsequent governments.

The prohibition on religion-based parties was lifted in the mid-1970s, leading to the formation of the contemporary faction of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami by 1979. The party has since engaged actively in national politics, notably contributing to pro-democracy movements against the authoritarian regime of Gen Hussain Muhammad Ershad in 1990.

Jamaat entered into a coalition with the BNP following the 2001 elections, with its leaders taking on ministerial roles.

However, the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) initiated war crimes prosecutions from 2010 onwards, leading to arrests and executions of significant leaders like Motiur Rahman Nizami, raising legal questions regarding the party's registration and political role.

The ICT is a domestic court set up to prosecute individuals for war crimes, genocide, and crimes against humanity committed during the 1971 Liberation War. It was established in 2009 by the Awami League government to address the atrocities committed against Bangladesh during the war.

In 2013, the Bangladesh Supreme Court annulled Jamaat-e-Islami's registration based on a High Court decision deeming the party unfit for national elections. However, this decision was overturned in June 2025, allowing Jamaat to re-establish its political presence.

This change, following the fall of Hasina’s government in August 2024, enabled Jamaat to regain political clout, partnering with the NCP to influence policy-making and student politics, extending its reach into universities and advocacy networks. This resurgence is reshaping the political landscape of Bangladesh, with Jamaat advocating for a proportional representation electoral framework to enhance the visibility of smaller parties.