Political Support and Unconfirmed Allegations Surround Bangladesh Election

In Bangladesh, the upcoming national election has prompted various political activities and discussions. Several groups and leaders have made public statements and have engaged in meetings, but many of these claims are yet to be officially confirmed. On February 10, 2026, a delegation from the Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad and the Hindu-Buddhist-Christian Unity Council met with the BNP Election Management Committee in Dhaka. This meeting involved leaders from different religious communities and focused on electoral support. On the same day, leaders from various Islamic schools of thought expressed their support for the BNP’s electoral symbol, the Sheaf of Paddy. These leaders emphasized the importance of a safe and inclusive Bangladesh and showed their backing for the BNP’s candidacy. Previously, on November 23, 2025, Tarique Rahman, the acting chairman of BNP, called upon Islamic religious leaders such as imams, khatibs, muezzins, and scholars to support BNP in the upcoming elections. His appeal aimed to garner religious backing for the electoral process. Moreover, on January 3, 2026, a group representing minority communities met with Tarique Rahman, presenting an eight-point list of demands. These demands were related to the BNP’s election manifesto and reflect the concerns of minority groups. Despite these activities, as of February 12, 2026, there is no official confirmation about whether Islamic scholars and leaders from organizations such as Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh and Bangladesh Nizam-e-Islam Party have officially endorsed BNP. Their support remains unverified. Similarly, the situation with other political alliances is unclear. There has been no official confirmation about the withdrawal of Islami Andolan Bangladesh from the alliance due to dissatisfaction with the seat-sharing agreement. The same is true regarding the National Citizen Party’s alliances with Jamaat-e-Islami and reports of resignations by some members in protest. Controversial claims also surround past political events. Ashraf Mahdi has accused various groups of orchestrating the 2018 Shukrana Mahfil, a religious gathering believed to have been politically motivated. He suggested it was a move to demonstrate support for the ruling party before the election. According to Ashraf Mahdi, individuals who opposed that event allegedly faced imprisonment, harassment, and enforced disappearance. These claims involve serious accusations about political repression, but none of these have been confirmed officially. Further allegations made by Mahdi include accusations that members of the Gonojagoron Moncho were involved in planning and executing the 2013 Shapla Square massacre. These serious claims have not been officially verified either. Additionally, Ashraf Mahdi reported the formation of the National Citizen Party on February 28, 2025, following the dissolution of the Jatiya Nagorik Committee. He was also reportedly appointed to the party’s Political Liaison Committee in May 2025. However, these claims lack official confirmation. Overall, many political activities and allegations are active in Bangladesh's current election climate. However, most of these reports remain unconfirmed by official sources. The situation continues to evolve as political groups, leaders, and community representatives navigate the complex process of national elections.