Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has questioned the impartiality of Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus following his recent high-profile meeting with BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman in London.
The party expressed concerns that the joint press briefing and statement issued after the meeting signaled a bias towards a particular political party, casting doubt over the neutrality of the interim government ahead of the national election.
In a statement signed by Matiur Rahman Akand, Secretary of Jamaat’s Central Publicity and Media Department, the party said that although meetings with political stakeholders are part of the Chief Adviser’s responsibilities, holding a joint press conference with just one party on foreign soil contradicts the norms of Bangladesh’s political culture.
Jamaat noted that the meeting came shortly after Professor Yunus’ June 6 national address, in which he unveiled a roadmap for the next parliamentary election, scheduled for the first half of April 2026. The party warned that the optics of the London meeting could jeopardize public confidence in the upcoming polls.
The remarks came following a meeting of Jamaat’s Central Executive Council held Saturday morning at the party’s headquarters in Dhaka, chaired by party leader Dr. Shafiqur Rahman. The council discussed the current political landscape and described the Chief Adviser’s conduct as inconsistent with the role of a neutral head of the interim government.
“We believe that instead of engaging one party abroad, it would have been more appropriate for the Chief Adviser to return to Dhaka and consult all political parties equally,” the statement read.
The party also stressed that hosting a joint press conference with only one political leader, while excluding others, has raised questions about the government’s ability to ensure a level playing field in the election process.
Calling for transparency and equal political engagement, Jamaat urged the interim government to take immediate steps to reassure the public and all stakeholders of its commitment to a free, fair, and credible election.
The party concluded its statement by urging the Chief Adviser to clarify his stance and reaffirm his neutrality to eliminate public skepticism surrounding the election process.
