Highlights
- NCP leader Samanta Sharmin says Jamaat and Awami League are two sides of the same coin.
- Claims both parties rely on each other politically.
- Suggests Jamaat’s rise may pave the way for Awami League’s comeback.
- Criticizes the Election Commission, calling it “unreformed and illegal.”
- NCP plans to contest all 300 seats but questions the state’s readiness for fair elections.
Jamaat and Awami League: Two Sides of the Same Coin
National Citizens Party (NCP) Senior Joint Convenor Samanta Sharmin has claimed that Jamaat-e-Islami and Awami League are not rivals but rather “two sides of the same coin.”
She said in an interview with a national daily,
“জামায়াত আর আওয়ামী লীগ মুদ্রার এপিঠ-ওপিঠ। এ দুই দলের গঠনপ্রক্রিয়া, ইন্টারনাল মেকানিজম এবং রাষ্ট্রকল্প একই ধরনের।”
Translation: “Jamaat and Awami League are two sides of the same coin. Their formation, internal mechanisms, and state visions are quite similar.”)
According to her, both parties have historically used each other for political gain, and if Jamaat comes to power, Awami League might regain its political relevance by portraying Bangladesh as being under Islamist control.
Awami League’s Political Strategy
Samanta Sharmin explained that Jamaat’s rise is not a coincidence but rather a political outcome of Awami League’s long-term plan.
“এটা আওয়ামী লীগেরই একটা প্ল্যান যে জামায়াত যত শক্তিশালী থাকবে আওয়ামী লীগ তত শক্তিশালী থাকবে।”
Translation: “It is Awami League’s plan — the stronger Jamaat becomes, the stronger Awami League will be.”
She claimed Awami League often uses Jamaat’s image to maintain international support by presenting itself as a “secular counterforce.”
Jamaat’s Attempt to Rehabilitate Awami League
Sharmin warned that Jamaat is now trying to rehabilitate the Awami League politically.
“জামায়াত এখানে পুরোপুরি আওয়ামী লীগকে আবার পুনর্বাসিত করার চেষ্টা করছে।”
Translation: “Jamaat is fully trying to rehabilitate Awami League again.”
She alleged that some Jamaat leaders are even assuring detained Awami League members that they would be protected if Jamaat assumes power.
Criticism of Political Hypocrisy
The NCP leader remarked that Bangladesh’s major parties — Awami League, BNP, and Jamaat — have all failed to uphold citizen-oriented or nationalist politics.
“বিএনপি আর জামায়াতের পক্ষে আসলে বাংলাদেশপন্থী রাজনীতি করা খুব কঠিন।”
Translation: “It’s very difficult for BNP and Jamaat to practice truly pro-Bangladesh politics.”
“আপনার ব্যবসা এখন অনলাইনে— Storola-এর সাথে সহজ ও স্মার্টভাবে!”
According to her, NCP’s ideology and future vision do not align with any of these old political systems.
Restoring the Spirit of 1971
Samanta Sharmin said that the NCP’s political foundation begins with the Liberation War of 1971, which she believes the Awami League has monopolized for decades.
“আমাদের ইতিহাসের স্টার্টিং পয়েন্ট ১৯৭১। যেটা গণমানুষের কাছ থেকে আওয়ামী লীগ ছিনিয়ে নিয়েছিল।”
Translation: “Our history begins in 1971, which Awami League had taken away from the people.”
Samanta Sharmin claimed that Jamaat is now trying to manipulate the legacy of 1971 to serve its own political narrative.
“সাধারণডিমবিক্রিকরেআমরাকীভাবে ১৫ লক্ষকাস্টমারএনেছি—এইবইয়েআছেতারবাস্তবকাহিনি!”
Criticism of the Election Commission
Sharmin harshly criticized the current Election Commission, calling it unreformed and biased.
“বর্তমান নির্বাচন কমিশন পুরোপুরি প্রশ্নবিদ্ধ… এ অবৈধ, অসংস্কারকৃত নির্বাচন কমিশন ফ্যাসিজমকে পুনরুজ্জীবিত করবে।”
Translation: “The current Election Commission is entirely questionable… This illegal, unreformed commission will revive fascism.”
She alleged that the commission lacks transparency, with no proper action taken to remove deceased voters from voter lists.
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NCP’s Election Plan
Despite her criticism, Sharmin stated that NCP will contest in all 300 constituencies, though she questioned whether the state itself was ready for a truly fair election.
“দলীয়ভাবে আমার নির্বাচনের প্রস্তুতি নেওয়ার আগে আমাকে জানতে হবে, রাষ্ট্রের প্রস্তুতি কী?”
Translation: “Before we prepare for the election as a party, I must know — is the state ready for it?”
Source: Kaler Kantho
