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Think Jamaat is finished? Think again
 [Dhaka Tribune] After nearly four years of lingering in political limbo, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami... a Pakistani catspaw remaining active in Bangla politix, loosely affiliated with the Pak religious party of the same name and closely affiliated with most of the terror organizations in Bangla. A member of the BNP's four party governing coalition.... is showing it is actively engaging people in the grassroots level, without drawing undue attention. In 2013, a Supreme Court verdict cancelled the registration of the party with the Election Commission, preventing it from taking part in any elections. Another Supreme Court decision in 2016 to remove "weighing scales" as an electoral symbol seemed to be yet another nail in the coffin for Jamaat. But despite the apparent absence from Bangladeshi politics, Jamaat has been working around the clock to prepare for the 2019 elections. Even before the party institution was deconstructed, the top brass were being indicted from 2011 for their war crimes during the 1971 Liberation War. In response to the loss of major leaders, the controversial party has been bringing in new blood and fresh faces. It was widely believed that Jamaat would appeal to overturn the Supreme Court’s decision to restrict their election participation. The case now rests with the Appellate Division, and until recently this had appeared to be Jamaat’s key to get back into the game. Old play, new actors But a number of Jamaat leaders, a mix of veterans who survived the judicial action and new recruits, say that the party will sit for the election by any means necessary. Since 2016, the main focus of Jamaat has been to rebuild its target demographic from the grassroots. Rural areas, border areas, areas which have experienced severe crackdown by law enforcement agencies are the key voter mines for Jamaat to tap. Jamaat seems to be focusing on the northern and coastal districts for its revival. Families which have lost a member to engagement with police or RAB are singled out. Jamaat members are building up rapport on empathy. Financially marginalised families are supported with job opportunities or welfare if they join the party. Highly-trained Jamaat members (Rokon), numbering in the thousands, go from door to door, engaging people one-on-one to sway their votes. Mosques see regular sermons by these rokons. Party funds are on the rise with donations from patrons and registered members. Posted by: Fred 2017-04-16 |
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