Bangladesh’s political landscape has undergone a dramatic transformation since the August 2024 uprising. 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 re-emergence as a political force that cannot be dismissed.
JAMAAT’S 41-POINT REFORM PLAN
In October 2024, the Jamaat unveiled a sweeping 41-point reform plan—a roadmap covering governance, judicial independence, electoral oversight, policing, public employment, culture and foreign relations. It is an ambitious document, clearly intended to signal seriousness in a political landscape where many parties are still recalibrating.
The proposals—from reinstating the caretaker government to creating an independent police commission and enforcing strict timelines for court proceedings—tap into widespread public frustration. For a generation disillusioned by corruption and institutional decay, such ideas resonate strongly.
But perhaps the clearest sign of the Jamaat’s renewed momentum came from an unexpected arena: the universities.
A SHOCK ON CAMPUS
In a development few would have predicted, the Jamaat’s student wing, the Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir, won students’ union elections at four major public universities. These victories have energised the party’s base and captured national attention. For many Bangladeshis who had long written the Jamaat off as a relic, the wins signalled something new: the party was once again a relevant political actor.
The Shibir also adopted a more collaborative strategy, forming inclusive panels by accommodating candidates with shared political values. This stood in stark contrast with the rigid factionalism that has defined student politics for decades.
The result has been a notable shift: the Jamaat’s influence among young voters now extends beyond traditional supporters, hinting at a broader appeal.
JAMAAT’S FIRST HINDU CANDIDATE
In another unprecedented move, the Jamaat nominated a candidate from the Hindu community—a step that would have been unthinkable a few years ago. This gesture signals a deliberate effort to project political inclusivity and challenge long-held perceptions about the party’s ideological boundaries. Even sceptics acknowledge that the move has forced a reassessment of the Jamaat’s political strategy in a rapidly evolving landscape.
TESTING DEMOCRATIC RELEVANCE
The fall of the Awami League created a rare political vacuum. The Jamaat now speaks the language of institutional reform and national unity with a confidence that would have been inconceivable even a year ago. Supporters highlight the party’s history in the 2001–2006 coalition government, when two Jamaat ministers were credited with administrative transparency and effective governance.
Whether this legacy is strong enough to reassure sceptical voters remains uncertain. But the momentum is undeniably with the Jamaat.
THE HARDEST QUESTION
Still, the party faces a significant challenge: its historical position during the 1971 liberation war. For many Bangladeshis, this remains a defining issue of national identity. In this context, a recent development has drawn national attention. Jamaat chief Dr Shafiqur Rahman publicly offered an unconditional apology regarding the party’s role and stance in 1971—a gesture unprecedented in the Jamaat’s political history. While reactions remain mixed, the move signals a key shift. It suggests that the Jamaat may be attempting to confront long-standing grievances rather than evade them.
Whether this apology will be accepted or deemed sufficient is up to the public. But, symbolically, it represents a step towards reconciliation—and potentially an effort to win the trust of an electorate that now prioritises accountability and historical clarity over rigid political loyalties.
BNP’S MISSED OPPORTUNITY
In the immediate aftermath of the collapse of the Awami League, it was widely assumed that the BNP would rise effortlessly to power. As the largest opposition force, the BNP appeared positioned to inherit the national leadership by default. But Bangladesh’s politics rarely follows expectations. The Jamaat, meanwhile, is trying to project something very different this time: discipline, cohesion and purpose.
Its leadership spent months supporting families of those killed in the July movement and assisting the injured. The party framed this not as politics but as a moral duty—a message that resonated with communities abandoned by traditional power-holders. This contrast between the BNP’s predictive politics and the Jamaat’s discipline has been pivotal in reshaping voter perceptions.
END OF OLD BINARIES
Bangladesh today is undergoing a democratic reset. Voters are no longer anchored to the traditional Awami League–BNP binary. Instead, they are evaluating parties based on behaviour, credibility and organisational capacity.
In this emerging landscape, the BNP appears inconsistent, undermined by ethical lapses. The Jamaat appears steady, defined by discipline and strategic clarity. This does not guarantee a Jamaat victory—its historical burdens remain heavy, but it has positioned itself effectively in a moment when Bangladeshis are searching for credible alternatives.
A PUBLIC IN FLUX
Recent surveys confirm this turbulence. With the Awami League out of the race due to its suspension, voters are navigating a political landscape they have not seen in more than a decade. The BNP leads with 30-33 per cent support, but it is a soft, fragile lead. What is most striking is the Jamaat’s surge to 26-29 per cent, a level of support unimaginable just a year ago. The Jamaat’s rise does not necessarily reflect newfound popularity; rather, it signals a polity searching for alternatives in a vacuum created by the collapse of the dominant party. Smaller parties are also benefitting, suggesting a broader political realignment.
Bangladeshis are not simply voting for parties—they are voting against the failures of the old order.
THE FINAL QUESTION
The uprising of 2024 shattered Bangladesh’s political status quo. It forced voters to reassess their expectations and compelled political actors to rethink their strategies. Whether the Jamaat’s resurgence will endure remains uncertain. But one reality is undeniable: at a moment when credibility matters more than rhetoric, voters are turning towards discipline over disorder.
Bangladesh’s next chapter will be written by parties that can meet its demands for accountability, integrity and democratic renewal.
The author is a Dhaka-born political and human rights analyst based in the UK.