Is this a ‘Night Government’ too? Jamaat Ameer questions BNP’s transparency

TBM Report

The Leader of the Opposition in Parliament and Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, has fiercely criticized the ruling BNP administration, questioning whether it has transitioned into a “night government” reminiscent of past autocratic regimes. Speaking as the chief guest at a civic rally organized by the Sylhet City unit of Jamaat-e-Islami at the District Shilpakala Academy auditorium on Tuesday evening, Rahman condemned the government’s practice of enacting critical economic policies and state appointments under the cover of darkness.

The opposition leader leveled grave allegations against the regulatory management of the country’s financial sector, which he described as the “heart of the macroeconomy.” He vehemently opposed the appointment of the newly instated Governor of Bangladesh Bank, characterizing him as the weakest central bank chief not only in national history but globally. Rahman highlighted that the individual in question was a certified loan defaulter who had legally cleared his default status just three months prior to his appointment. Furthermore, he condemned the coercive restructuring of private bank boards and the reinstatement of a controversial former Deputy Governor through overnight meetings managed by state security agencies.

Responding to political narratives labeling Jamaat leaders as “hidden” or “underground” actors during the previous political crises, Rahman asserted that remaining within the sovereign borders of the country to endure political persecution and over three years of imprisonment is a matter of institutional pride. He drew a sharp contrast with political figures who fled into safe exiles abroad, stating that true leadership demands standing with the populace during both prosperous and turbulent periods.

Touching upon the 13th National Parliamentary Election, the Jamaat chief stated that while the physical polling process was largely fair, the subsequent consolidation of votes and statistical outcomes were highly manipulated. He warned that bypassing the mandates of the recent referendum through a manufactured two-thirds parliamentary majority constitutes an insult to democratic values, predicting that this suppressed public grievance would eventually erupt like a volcano. Concluding his address, Rahman announced his formal refusal to accept any state-allocated privileges, including official vehicles, discretionary funds, and executive protocols designated for the Leader of the Opposition.