Zakir Hossain from Dhaka
With Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League (AL) unlikely to contest the 2026 Bangladesh national election due to a political activity ban, rival parties BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami and the National Citizen Party (NCP), have intensified efforts to woo its traditional supporters, offering safety assurances and protection from false cases.
Gopalganj Turns Into Key Contest Zone: Gopalganj, long considered the AL’s strongest bastion, is now at the centre of this political push. Jamaat has fielded candidates in all three seats. In Gopalganj-2, Jamaat’s likely nominee, lawyer Azmal Hossain Sardar, who last ran in 1996, is reaching out to AL loyalists.
“I tell them this is Awami League territory; if they return to polls in future, voters may choose them again. But if AL cannot contest now, they can vote for us,” he said. Sardar also claimed Jamaat activists are helping AL supporters “falsely implicated” in over 20–25 cases filed after the 5 August unrest. He estimates more than 30,000 people were accused.
BNP is also eyeing the district. Its Gopalganj-2 aspirant KM Babar said the party could win all three seats and is presenting itself as the “pro-Liberation force.”
“We assure voters we will not file false cases or pursue revenge. Our leader Tarique Rahman has instructed us to win people’s hearts with love,” he said. However, he labelled Jamaat a “covert organisation” that “shifts blame onto others.” NCP, meanwhile, is reportedly preparing to contest in the remaining two constituencies.
Why the AL Vote Bank Matters: Political observers note that AL’s traditional supporters, including minority Hindu voters, could shape outcomes nationwide. Jamaat candidates have even begun addressing Hindu gatherings, signalling a shift in strategy.
NCP Claims AL Support Base Has Shrunk: NCP Senior Joint Convenor Ariful Islam Adib argued that AL’s vote bank has fallen “below 10%,” citing youth-led participation in the July uprising. He said many former Chhatra League, Shibir, Chhatra Adhikar, and Chhatra Union activists are now within NCP, which will influence undecided voters. Former AL voters “not involved in crimes,” he said, may now choose freely among NCP, BNP and Jamaat based on candidate credibility.
Jamaat’s Outreach to Displaced AL Voters: Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar said AL leaders may be legally barred, but its voters remain.
“These general voters are not responsible for the misdeeds of the top leadership. They now have the right to decide who ensures safety, sincerity and honest politics,” he said. Parwar noted Jamaat’s increased engagement with minorities, mentioning a recent Hindu community gathering in his constituency.
BNP Projects National Vision: BNP Standing Committee member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury said the party is not thinking in terms of “vote banks,” arguing its strength lies in inclusive governance and future-oriented policies. “Our programme is for all Bangladeshis,” he said, though local BNP candidates continue to court AL supporters.
Awaiting AL’s Signal: With uncertainty over AL’s participation, analysts say its core voters remain the biggest variable. Until the party’s central leadership indicates a direction, rival political forces will continue competing to capture its influential support base.