Jamaat-e-Islami chief Shafiqur Rahman at an election rally in Dhaka, File
| Picture Credit score: AP
Hours earlier than polling, the Bangladesh Nationalist Get together on Wednesday (February 11, 2026) accused the biggest Islamist Get together Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI) of making an attempt to sabotage the election course of through the use of cash energy.
The accusation was made after a JeI chief was caught with practically Taka 74 lakh in Saidpur airport in north Bangladesh amid social media reviews that a number of such Jamaat leaders have been recorded distributing money amongst voters.
JeI has countered the accusation and stated the incident was a “staged drama” by legislation enforcement businesses.
“At a time when all banks, monetary establishments, enterprise transactions and actions are closed to stop unlawful monetary dealings within the election, naturally, questions are arising in all places – from what supply did the highest chief of Jamaat in a single district acquire this huge sum of money, for what objective, to whom was it supposed for, and why was he travelling from Dhaka to Thakurgaon on the eve of election,” stated Mahdi Amin, spokesperson of the BNP’s Election Steering Committee alleging that there have been reviews of Jamaat leaders distributing money in a number of different constituencies together with Dhaka-15 the place JeI’s Ameer Shafiqur Rahman is contesting election.
The BNP and Jamaat, which had been coalition companions throughout 2001-’06, are pitted in opposition to one another within the absence of the Awami League, whose actions stay banned.
Over the previous a number of days, the 2 events have clashed on a number of events and on Tuesday in Bogura, a BNP chief was injured after he was attacked by Jamaat supporters. Mr. Amin accused JeI of amassing bKash monetary switch numbers and Voter IDs of residents and planning handy over money to voters. “The Saidpur Airport incident can’t be considered as an remoted occasion,” stated Mr. Amin. He additional stated that “a specific social gathering” is accumulating “home weapons” and intimidating voters.
Bangladesh is observing a four-day public vacation throughout which banks will not be working.
In an oblique swipe at JeI, Mr. Amin additional stated a “sure political social gathering” is referring to the ladies of Bangladesh in “disrespectful and obscene phrases” and making an attempt to restrict working hours for ladies including “This election presents an exquisite alternative to protest in opposition to this injustice.”
Jamaat held a press convention quickly after the incident was reported from Saidpur and stated that concerted makes an attempt had been being made to challenge the social gathering in unfavorable mild forward of Thursday’s (February 12, 2026) polling.
Ahsanul Mahboob Zubair, Assistant Secretary Basic of JeI and head of its media staff stated Jamaat chief Belal Uddin Pradhan had acquired a ‘no objection certificates’ from the Hazrat Shah Jalal Worldwide Airport’s safety wing in Dhaka earlier than flying out to Saidpur and accused the native safety institution of disregarding the clearance given in Dhaka airport.
“He has clearly acknowledged that he travels for his enterprise. Banks are closed, and he must conduct sure transactions. That’s the reason he had some money with him, which could be very regular. An individual can carry money for enterprise, household wants, or different functions,” stated Mr. Zubair warning the legislation enforcement businesses to remain impartial.
Printed – February 11, 2026 07:17 pm IST