DISCIPLINE OVER DISORDER

Bangladesh's political landscape has undergone a dramatic transformation since the August 2024 uprising.

- MOHAMMAD WALIUDDIN TANVIR

Several political parties that once played secondary or supporting roles have seen an unexpected surge in public support. Many of these emerging forces—previously aligned with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP)—have now become serious contenders. Their rise has reshaped political expectations, introducing both uncertainty and opportunity into the country's future.

Understanding this shift requires looking beyond electoral numbers. Years of frustration with entrenched rivalry, governance failures and political stagnation created fertile ground for alternative actors to gain momentum. These parties present themselves as fresh, reform-oriented forces capable of delivering accountability, institutional integrity and a departure from the dysfunction of the past decade.

Among them, the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami stands out. Despite its controversial history and its role in the BNP-led coalition government from 2001 to 2006, the Jamaat has regained notable support since the uprising. Its resurgence demonstrates organisational resilience and strategic repositioning at a moment of national volatility. This renewed relevance has compelled observers to reassess assumptions about Bangladesh's political trajectory.

REWIRED BY A HISTORIC UPRISING

The upheavals of 2024 thrust Bangladesh into uncharted territory. What began as a student-led protest erupted into a nationwide demand for accountability, sweeping aside a government once seen as immovable. The uprising reaffirmed something fundamental: when Bangladeshis reach a breaking point, they reshape their political destiny.

As the country now attempts to rebuild democratic institutions, restore public trust and redefine the political order, one of the most striking developments is the Jamaat's reemergence as a political force that cannot be dismissed.

JAMAAT'S 41-POINT REFORM PLAN