BNP’s interest in Hefazat ahead of elections; Babunagari in focus for anti-Jamaat stance

Staff Reporter | PNN:

With the upcoming national election, political activity has increased to draw closer to Hefazat-e-Islam, a Qawmi madrasa-based organization. In particular, the BNP and several Islamist parties are maintaining communication with Hefazat’s top leadership.

Recently, BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed and National Citizens’ Party convener Nahid Islam met Hefazat’s Amir Shah Muhibbullah Babunagari in Dhaka. Earlier, two other top BNP leaders had met him in Chattogram.

Political sources say that BNP’s strategy is to influence the vote bank of Qawmi madrasa-based Islamist parties outside Jamaat. This is because Hefazat Amir Babunagari has publicly expressed anti-Jamaat views multiple times and has urged Islamic parties not to form alliances with Jamaat.

While BNP has welcomed this anti-Jamaat stance, differing opinions have emerged within Hefazat. Some leaders feel that taking political positions or forming electoral alliances while being a non-political organization conflicts with Hefazat’s principles. However, due to the Amir’s authority, no one is publicly opposing him.

Meanwhile, Jamaat has described the Amir’s statements as personal opinions. Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar said, “Hefazat’s Amir is a respected scholar, and we honor him. However, comments that could break the unity of Islamic parties are not desirable.”

Political analysts believe that this tug-of-war around Hefazat could reshape the Islamist vote bank ahead of the election. While BNP sees potential gains from its closeness to Hefazat, internal disagreements could further complicate the organization’s position.