The Bharatiya Janata Party’s campaign in Bihar during last year’s state elections leaned heavily on memories of the 1990s, when the Rashtriya Janata Dal governed the state and was widely accused by opponents of presiding over lawlessness. Rather than foregrounding Nitish Kumar’s record, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah repeatedly warned voters that rejecting the National Democratic Alliance could revive what they described as a return to “jungle raj” — a period associated with crime, extortion, and mafia influence. Although Tejashwi Yadav now leads the RJD, the NDA’s messaging deliberately linked the present leadership to the past. Many observers felt that this strategy of invoking fear or caution contributed significantly to the NDA’s decisive victory.
A comparable narrative appears to be unfolding in Bangladesh’s February 12 national elections. Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh, contesting alongside major rivals including the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, has framed its appeal around a warning against a repeat of BNP’s 2001–2006 tenure. This line of argument is notable given Jamaat’s own participation in that coalition government. In its outreach, the party frequently cites Bangladesh’s poor corruption rankings during the BNP era, especially references to Transparency International’s assessments. At the same time, current data places Bangladesh among the more corrupt nations globally in 2025.
Jamaat’s campaign rests on two core assertions: that a BNP comeback would re-entrench corruption, and that allegations of extortion involving BNP figures since the Awami League government’s collapse in August 2024 reinforce those concerns. Together, these claims underpin Jamaat’s central slogan of “Vote for change,” presenting voters with a stark contrast between breaking from the past and perpetuating a discredited cycle.
Conversations in Dhaka reflect this mood. During a drive from the airport, Sohag, a young driver, voiced fatigue with both BNP and Awami League administrations and expressed a willingness to give Jamaat an opportunity, fearing corruption’s return under BNP. A similar perspective emerged from Sojibul, a first-time voter and Uber bike rider, who said his preference shifted toward Jamaat after disagreeing with BNP’s initial opposition to a proposed national referendum on institutional reforms.
The BNP and some civil society voices dispute these street-level sentiments, alleging that Jamaat is orchestrating a subtle perception campaign by incentivizing everyday workers to promote the party. Anecdotal encounters with hotel staff echoing Jamaat’s prospects have fueled such claims. Critics describe this as a quiet but calculated messaging effort unlikely to alter actual voting outcomes.
Jamaat leaders dismiss the allegations, insisting their support stems from genuine public disillusionment with the dominant parties. Some within the organization privately characterize BNP leadership as overly confident. Meanwhile, diplomatic observers acknowledge that Jamaat’s growing visibility and appeal cannot be easily overlooked.
Despite this chatter, BNP representatives remain publicly assured, citing surveys and social-media analyses suggesting majority backing for their party while projecting Jamaat’s support at a smaller but still significant share. Even a modest rise for Jamaat would represent a notable shift compared to its historical electoral performance.
Recent polling indicates Jamaat may be gaining traction beyond its traditional urban or religious bases, particularly in rural regions. Student politics offer further evidence of changing dynamics, with Jamaat’s student wing achieving strong results in university elections — a development often seen as indicative of broader generational trends.
In response to perceived shifts among young voters, BNP leadership has adjusted its stance, now supporting the referendum many youths favor. Analysts, however, interpret this repositioning as reactive rather than proactive.
While Jamaat is unlikely to secure power independently, a strong showing could reshape Bangladesh’s political balance, potentially complicating BNP’s path to a commanding parliamentary majority. Just as Bihar’s elections were shaped by warnings about the past, Bangladesh’s contest is being influenced by narratives linking political choices to memories of corruption and disorder. Whether Jamaat’s strategy yields electoral gains or merely disrupts established expectations remains uncertain, but its growing presence is increasingly evident in both urban and rural discourse.
