Nahid Islam, the convener of the National Citizens’ Party (NCP), has remarked that the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami are competing intensely to secure votes in favor of the Awami League. He added that certain examples are being showcased to draw voters, and there are even discussions about withdrawing cases filed against Awami League leaders.

He made these comments on Tuesday afternoon during a discussion at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka. The event, titled “Elections Dialogue: Your Party Voter Questions”, was organized by the Daily Star.

Speaking at the meeting, Nahid Islam cited an example from Comilla’s Debidwar, where 200 former Awami League activists, including some accused in the July Genocide cases, joined the BNP under the coordination of NCP’s southern organizer Hasnat Abdullah. He emphasized that this is just one example and that many others exist.

Addressing the unresolved issues surrounding the Awami League, Nahid Islam said that although the formation of a Truth Commission had been discussed, it never materialized. He stressed that society needs to clearly distinguish that individuals who supported the Awami League but were not involved in genocide or terrorism have the right to participate in politics or join any party.

During the event, which included NCP convener Nahid Islam, CPB leader Mujahidul Islam Selim, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, and Jamaat-e-Islami leader Hamidur Rahman Azad, Nahid Islam stated, “Supporting a fascist party is a crime. However, if they seek forgiveness, they can be rehabilitated in society.”

When asked by Kamal Ahmed, advisory editor of the Daily Star and moderator of the session, whether the NCP supported a Reconciliation Commission, Nahid Islam replied in the affirmative. He added that without such a mechanism, questions about the Awami League will keep arising, creating problems for all parties.

Other notable participants included BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Jamaat-e-Islami Assistant Secretary General Hamidur Rahman Azad, and former CPB president and central committee member Mujahidul Islam Selim.