Jatiya Party Not a ‘Fascist Collaborator’, Says Rezaul Islam Bhuiyan — Points to BNP and 32 Other Parties

Staff Correspondent

Rezaul Islam Bhuiyan, Presidium Member and Additional Secretary General of the Jatiya Party, has expressed strong resentment over the party being labeled as a “fascist collaborator” for participating in elections during the Awami League’s one-and-a-half-decade-long rule.

Speaking to journalists on Wednesday after submitting the party’s financial report for the year 2024 to the Election Commission, Bhuiyan dismissed the accusation as unjust and politically motivated.

“We strongly disagree with the narrative that participating in elections makes us fascist collaborators,” said Mr. Bhuiyan.

He argued that if contesting elections under the current regime is considered a crime, then not just the Jatiya Party, but the BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, Islami Oikya Jote, and even leaders like Mahmudur Rahman Manna, A.S.M. Abdur Rob, and Dr. Kamal Hossain—who all participated in the 2018 election—should also be considered guilty.

“Three national elections were held during this period, and all these political forces participated. If election participation is a crime, then 31 other parties are equally guilty,” he told reporters.

It is worth noting that during the Awami League’s long tenure in power, the Jatiya Party served as the official opposition in Parliament—a position that has drawn criticism from various political alliances, especially those backing the recent anti-government mass uprising movement.

Several factions within this movement have called for banning the Jatiya Party, branding them as allies of authoritarian rule. On Tuesday, a delegation from Gonodhikar Parishad met with the Chief Election Commissioner and formally demanded the suspension of registration for the Jatiya Party and other parties in the Awami League-led 14-party alliance.

When asked about the Jatiya Party’s plans for the next general election, Rezaul Islam Bhuiyan responded:

“We will only consider participating if there is a truly level playing field. As of now, we do not see that. The government is clearly favoring one side. If that continues, we will decide in our Presidium meeting after the election schedule is announced.”

His remarks are being seen as a clear indication of the party’s concern over electoral fairness, and its positioning ahead of the next national polls.