In a scathing attack on the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Jamaat-e-Islami Nayeb-e-Ameer ATM Azharul Islam stated that the party is attempting to establish a new form of fascism by ignoring the mandate of 70% of the population. Speaking at a rally organized by an 11-party alliance in front of Baitul Mukarram on Saturday, Islam alleged that rejecting the results of the national referendum is a strategic move to concentrate all power in the hands of a single individual.

Azharul Islam emphasized that the country has already endured 16 years of autocratic rule and the “July Revolution” was meant to overhaul the entire political system, not just change the faces in power. He warned that if the BNP continues to disregard the public’s choice regarding constitutional reforms and the referendum, it will face severe backlash. Other leaders at the assembly, including Maulana Mamunul Haque, echoed these sentiments, labeling BNP’s current stance as “hypocritical.” This escalating friction between former allies marks a significant turning point in the lead-up to the 2026 elections, highlighting intense disagreements over the nation’s democratic future.