A series of violent attacks blamed on the Awami League is pushing Bangladesh's rival political parties towards a common front, reviving the prospect of an alliance that helped end Sheikh Hasina's dictatorial 15-year rule in 2024.
The ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is considering an all-party meeting to coordinate a response to suspected sabotage by activists of the Awami League, whose political activities remain banned.
Opposition parties, including Jamaat-e-Islami and the National Citizen Party (NCP), have expressed willingness to cooperate. But there are conditions.
Jamaat wants the government to implement the July Charter and respect the referendum result. The NCP wants stronger action against the Awami League. Smaller parties say the government must demonstrate its commitment to political cooperation.
The discussions come amid concerns that Awami League activists could intensify their activities in December, when Hasina has indicated she intends to return to Bangladesh.
Political leaders interviewed by Daily Waadaa expressed doubts that Hasina, who has been sentenced to death and remains in India, would return next month. Some said the announcement was intended to test public reaction.
Sources familiar with government intelligence assessments also claimed there was little prospect of her immediate return. But party leaders warned that the announcement could still become a rallying point for Awami League activists.
The latest concerns followed two attacks involving figures associated with the NCP.
Late Wednesday, around 11:45 pm, a fire broke out at the family home of NCP Joint Convener and lawmaker Nusrat Tabassum in Bagoan village of Daulatpur, Kushtia. NCP leaders alleged that Awami League activists had thrown a petrol bomb at the property.
The cause of the fire remains disputed. Police have said they found no evidence of a cocktail bomb, while a local electricity official questioned whether an electrical short circuit was responsible.
A day earlier, on Tuesday, Hasib Al Islam, president of the Dhaka University unit of Chhatra Shakti, was attacked near Balishira Resort in Radhanagar, Sreemangal.
Around noon, assailants allegedly blocked the autorickshaw carrying Hasib and attempted to hack him with machetes. His left hand was severely injured.
The incidents followed reports of crude bomb explosions, burning tyres and vehicle fires in different parts of the country. Awami League-linked social media pages operating from Bangladesh and abroad have also publicised protest activities.
NCP leaders have blamed the banned party for the attacks, although responsibility for individual incidents has not been conclusively established.
The violence has renewed discussions among parties that opposed Hasina's government but have since developed differences over governance, constitutional reform and the distribution of political power.
According to leaders of several political parties, informal discussions have begun on coordinating a response to possible unrest in December.
Sources said the BNP was considering convening an all-party meeting as Prime Minister Tarique Rahman had returned from Türkiye, where he went to attend the global climate summit.
The proposal was also discussed informally during a meeting of Parliament's Business Advisory Committee last Sunday. Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad chaired the meeting in the Cabinet Room of the Parliament Building.
Those attending included Tarique, Opposition Leader Dr Shafiqur Rahman, BNP Standing Committee member Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, Deputy Speaker Kaiser Kamal, Law Minister Md Asaduzzaman, Jamaat Nayeb-e-Ameer ATM Azharul Islam and Opposition Chief Whip Nahid Islam.
The committee formally discussed the agenda and duration of Parliament's fourth session. But sources familiar with the meeting told Waadaa that the possibility of an all-party consultation was raised during an informal exchange.
When contacted, ATM Azharul Islam declined to comment when approached.
Ruling party Chief Whip Nurul Islam Moni said the committee's responsibilities were limited to parliamentary business.
"Business Advisory Committee meetings are held to determine which bills will be introduced and how many days Parliament will sit. They are not meant for discussing other matters," he told Waadaa.
He nevertheless left open the possibility of broader talks. "If the need arises, there will certainly be dialogue with all political parties," he said.
"The government is not taking the Awami League's sabotage activities lightly. It is taking them very seriously. If necessary, the government will take tougher measures."
Political leaders said parties were also preparing independent programmes throughout December. Some would mobilise through alliances. Others would organise activities under their own banners.
Their immediate objective, according to party officials, is to prevent violence and disruption during the period surrounding Hasina's announced return.
Several leaders raised concerns about possible blockades on highways passing through remote areas, particularly where access is difficult to monitor. They also warned of attempts to disrupt railway operations and target vehicles or public infrastructure.
Jamaat's position could determine how far the proposed political cooperation develops.
The party remains opposed to the Awami League's return to politics. But its leaders have criticised the BNP government's handling of recent violence.
On November 4, Jamaat's Executive Council met at the party's central office in Moghbazar, Dhaka. The meeting reviewed the government's performance and discussed the party's response to Awami League activities.
Party sources said Jamaat had decided to remain active against the Awami League while closely monitoring the government's actions. Its level of mobilisation would depend partly on whether the government adopted stronger measures against the banned party.
Jamaat also has a high-level political committee comprising its secretary general, three assistant secretaries general and the Ameers of its two Dhaka metropolitan units.
According to party sources, the committee meets informally almost every day, reviews political developments and provides input to the party's policymaking bodies. Assistant Secretary General Hamidur Rahman Azad, a member of the committee, accused the government of failing to contain violence.
"We have not seen any strong government action to control the arson, crude bomb explosions and fire-related terrorism carried out by the Awami League," Hamidur told Waadaa.
"The government has demonstrated failures in maintaining law and order in various ways. It has created opportunities for the Awami League." He said Jamaat would nevertheless cooperate if the government demonstrated a willingness to work with the opposition.
"If the government shows a positive attitude, the opposition will certainly cooperate in the national interest. But the government must demonstrate that positive attitude first."
A senior Jamaat leader, speaking about the party's internal position, said the government would face greater difficulties if Awami League activists carried out widespread violence in December.
"If the government seeks our cooperation, we will certainly cooperate," the leader told Waadaa.
"But our condition is that the July Charter must be implemented and the referendum result must be respected."
The party also believes that allowing the Awami League to resume political activities could lead to further confrontation.
Nayeb-e-Ameer Professor Mujibur Rahman said political differences should not prevent cooperation. "We fought together against the fascist government. Everyone agreed on that then, and everyone still agrees," Mujibur told Waadaa.
"Perhaps differences are now emerging because some people are prioritising narrow party or personal interests."
He said political forces that opposed Hasina's government could reunite. "We believe the country and the nation will unite again when the national interest demands it."
He added that parties concerned about Bangladesh's sovereignty and opposed to what he called Indian aggression would come together when necessary.
The prospect of renewed cooperation comes amid distrust between the BNP and Jamaat.
BNP leaders have indirectly accused Jamaat of maintaining an understanding with the Awami League to put pressure on the government.
Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has made remarks in Parliament in recent days that appeared to question the opposition's position. BNP officials said their concerns were influenced partly by events in 1996.
Following the February 15 election that year, the BNP formed a government. The Awami League and Jamaat subsequently participated in simultaneous movements demanding political change.
The BNP government eventually stepped down.
Some BNP leaders see similarities in the present situation, with the Awami League seeking to mobilise outside Parliament while Jamaat leads the parliamentary opposition.
But political analysts question whether the same alignment is possible today.
Dr Sabbir Ahmed, a professor in Dhaka University's Department of Political Science, said the experience of Awami League rule had changed relations between the parties.
"The BNP was persecuted by the Awami League over the past 17 years, and Jamaat suffered in the same way," Sabbir told Waadaa.
"An alliance between the Awami League and Jamaat is no longer possible. Rather, I believe Jamaat will stand beside the BNP on the Awami League question."
The NCP is also preparing a stronger response.
Party leaders believe they face particular risks because many of them served as frontline organisers and coordinators during the July uprising.
The attacks involving Hasib Al Islam and Nusrat Tabassum have increased those concerns. NCP Member Secretary Akhter Hossain accused the Awami League of organising attacks across the country.
"The Awami League is throwing petrol bombs at various installations across Bangladesh," Akhter told Waadaa.
"They have launched a targeted killing campaign and have instructed their activists accordingly." He also alleged that people associated with the party were publicising attacks on Facebook.
Akhter said the incidents required renewed cooperation among political forces that opposed Hasina's government. "There is a need to renew and strengthen unity among all anti-fascist political forces in Bangladesh," he said.
He acknowledged that the BNP, Jamaat and NCP had developed disagreements on several issues.
"There are disagreements, differences of opinion and political distances between the government and opposition parties," he said. "But on the question of the Awami League and fascism, there has always been a form of unity among the BNP, Jamaat, NCP and all anti-fascist political parties."
Akhter said the NCP would remain active on the streets and use its organisational capacity to oppose violent activities.
Party sources said several programmes had already been planned. The NCP also intends to press the government for stronger action.
Senior Joint Convener Hasnat Abdullah said all political parties committed to opposing the Awami League should cooperate.
"The Awami League is a national enemy. It is an enemy of this land," Hasnat told Waadaa.
"All pro-Bangladesh political parties will naturally speak out against it from their respective positions."
He said the government should seek assistance if it was unable to address the situation alone. "If the government thinks it cannot suppress the Awami League by itself, it should say so," he said.
"I believe everyone needs to come together and help. Everyone is also willing to help."
Other parties that participated in the July uprising also support renewed cooperation.
But their leaders said the government must take the initiative and address unresolved political disputes.
AB Party Chairman Mujibur Rahman Manju said the unity formed during the uprising had weakened over questions of power and elections.
"When the Awami League's fascist character became fully evident in July, we were compelled to unite," Manju told Waadaa.
"From the beginning, I argued that this unity should be maintained until fascism was completely eliminated."
He said his party was preparing initiatives to rebuild communication. "We will send letters to everyone and establish communication with all parties," he said.
"If possible, we will first organise indoor programmes and later take to the streets."
Manju said the BNP government had the greatest responsibility for bringing parties together. "The ruling party must demonstrate the greatest sincerity," he said.
"If it secretly compromises with the Awami League, it will be the first to fall into that trap."
Abul Hasan Rubel, executive coordinator of Ganosamhati Andolon, said political cooperation should extend beyond the immediate security concerns.
"The national unity that emerged against the authoritarian rule imposed by the Awami League over a long period is necessary not only to confront the Awami League now but also for national reconstruction," Rubel told Waadaa.
He also alleged that attempts to undermine Bangladesh were continuing at home and abroad.
Rubel said the government should lead discussions because it held executive power.
"Such initiatives must primarily come from the government because it is in the driver's seat," he said.
"Other political parties must also come forward." He called for open negotiations over outstanding disputes. "The disputed issues need to be resolved," he told Waadaa.
"We must create room for settlement through open dialogue and confront the situation from a position of national unity."
Gono Odhikar Parishad Senior Vice-President Faruk Hasan said the immediate concern was not whether Hasina would return in December. "The bigger issue is that they will try to create a chaotic situation in December," Faruk told Waadaa.
"We are already seeing signs of that."
He said divisions among parties associated with the July uprising had created political opportunities for the Awami League.
"The Awami League is exploiting these divisions," he said.
Faruk urged the parties to resume cooperation. "I do not blame anyone else. We must unite again." He said the disagreements had continued long enough. "Enough is enough. No more. We must move forward together from now on."
The possibility of cooperation was also raised during Wednesday's sitting of Parliament.
The ruling party and opposition exchanged sharp criticism during the third meeting of the fourth session. But both sides expressed support for a coordinated response to possible Awami League activities.
Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed called for cooperation from political parties represented in Parliament and those outside it. "We need national unity so that we can collectively prevent them from creating instability," Salahuddin said.
Opposition Leader Dr Shafiqur Rahman welcomed the appeal.
"The home minister has said that we should move Bangladesh forward together through the kind of national unity that emerged against fascism in 2024," Shafiqur said. "I thank him for expressing that sentiment."
He also warned against allowing the country to experience further political repression.
"This nation should not be subjected to the suffering caused by fascists again," he said. "As for whose weaknesses have allowed them to gain encouragement, that judgment should be left to the people."
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