Jamaat angry at CA Yunus over joint statement with BNP’s Tarique

Jamaat-e-Islami believes the neutrality of Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus has been compromised by a “joint statement” issued following his meeting with BNP’s Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman in London.

The “view” was presented at a meeting by Jamaat’s central executive council on Saturday, according to a press release issued by the party.

The party recalled that in his Jun 6 address to the nation, the chief advisor had announced a roadmap for the parliamentary elections to be held in the first half of April 2026.

“Following that announcement, his decision to meet a single political party during his London visit, hold a joint press briefing abroad, and issue a joint statement on the meeting — we consider all of this to be a deviation from the political culture of Bangladesh."

Jamaat also says the chief advisor has shown a particular inclination toward a single party through the meeting, which has “damaged his impartiality”.

The executive council of the party called on the interim administration to clarify the role of the chief advisor, in order to dispel doubts arising over the government's impartiality and the possibility of a free, fair, and credible election ensuring a level playing field.

On Friday, Tarique and Yunus held a closed-doors meeting at The Dorchester hotel in London.

Following the meeting, National Security Advisor Khalilur Rahman and BNP Standing Committee member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury held a joint briefing in the hotel lobby.

Jamaat expressed its official reaction to this a day after the meeting.

The meeting of Jamaat’s central executive council, chaired by its chief Shafiqur Rahman, was held at the party’s central office in Moghbazar on Saturday.

Reflecting on the meeting, the party’s statement said: “When many active political parties exist in Bangladesh, making decisions on the country’s overall political issues by engaging in talks with only one party cannot be considered appropriate."

The party added: "We hope that the interim government will remain neutral and ensure appropriate steps in the areas of justice and reform."

"Jamaat-e-Islami believes that it would have been more appropriate for the chief advisor to consult with other political parties before expressing an opinion on the matter upon returning to the country," according to the statement.

The BNP has been demanding the national election be held by December over the past several months. Tarique reiterated this demand at multiple rallies as well.

On the eve of Eid-ul-Azha, the chief advisor announced in a televised address to the nation that the next parliamentary election would be held in the first half of April.

The BNP had denounced the announcement.

Three days before the chief advisor’s speech, Jamaat held a press conference, outlining its expectations in relation to the election timeline.

On that day, party chief Shafiqur said his party wanted the general election to be held within April 2024, preceded by local government elections.