In a revealing interview with journalist Masood Kamal, physician, influencer, and political observer Dr. Abdun Noor Tushar raised serious concerns about the growing influence of Jamaat-e-Islami, potential biases in the upcoming February 2026 elections, and deteriorating law and order under the interim government led by Dr. Muhammad Yunus.
Tushar accused the administration of showing favouritism toward Jamaat and the National Citizen Party (NCP), warning that such actions threaten democratic fairness and public trust.
His outspoken critique, lauded by Kamal as the “voice of the people,” underscores the urgency of addressing Jamaat’s influence, electoral fairness, and law enforcement disparities.
Tushar expressed alarm over the interim government’s apparent preferential treatment of Jamaat-e-Islami and NCP, pointing to their exclusive access to high-level discussions with Yunus. He noted that while 30-35 political parties participated in the National Consensus Commission dialogues with equal weight, Yunus consistently engages only BNP, Jamaat, and NCP for critical talks.
“This is blatant bias,” Tushar asserted, citing a state-funded New York trip where these parties’ representatives were received by their own members rather than official embassy protocols, suggesting “party activities at state expense.”
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He further criticised the government’s leniency toward NCP, often labelled Jamaat’s “B-team” or a “King’s Party” by critics. Despite public backlash, NCP enjoys significant influence, with Tushar alleging that their protests—unlike those of teachers, rural electricity workers, or Grameenphone employees—are met with government concessions rather than dismissal as “fascist” agitators. “When NCP heats the streets, their demands are accepted. Others are ignored or branded fascists. This double standard is clear,” he said.
Tushar also highlighted NCP’s opaque funding and aggressive rhetoric, comparing their actions to fascist tactics like property seizures. He referenced an incident in Chattogram where NCP claimed to seize a “fascist” office, while other parties in the same building reported no such activity. “It’s bad if fascists take Bihari property, but good if NCP does? This is a ‘you do it bad, I do it right’ policy,” he remarked, questioning the consistency of legal standards.
Election Integrity Under Threat
The interview spotlighted fears that the upcoming elections could be compromised by Yunus’ leadership style and institutional biases. Tushar described Yunus as a “lone wolf” leader who listens but acts solely on his own terms, a trait evident in his tenure at Grameen Bank and Grameen Telecom.
“He’s never worked under anyone else’s will. He listens but does what he wants,” Tushar said, predicting that Yunus is unlikely to reform the advisory council despite complaints from BNP, Jamaat, and NCP about “biased” advisers.
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These parties have raised concerns about partiality in the advisory council, with NCP’s chief alleging some advisers seek “safe exits.” However, Tushar criticised the lack of specificity, noting that no names have been disclosed. “It’s hazy. They should provide examples of biased behaviour to the public,” he urged, estimating that complaints could implicate four to six advisers.
He argued that Yunus’ refusal to act—unless advisers resign voluntarily—stems from his aversion to external influence, a flaw he shares with former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina: both suffer from a “lack of alternatives” in leadership.
Tushar also questioned the selection process for advisers, noting the lack of transparency compared to past caretaker governments, where parties proposed names for consensus-based decisions.
“We don’t know who proposed these advisers or who was excluded,” he said, adding that Yunus could reasonably deflect criticism by saying: “You didn’t name anyone, so I didn’t act.” Reports that NCP figures like Asif Mahmud proposed even Yunus’ appointment further complicate accountability.
Law and Order: A Ticking Time Bomb
Tushar warned that law and order are at risk as the election nears, exacerbated by unchecked political favouritism and public unrest. He highlighted the government’s indifference to widespread protests by teachers, rural electricity workers, and Grameenphone staff, who face accusations of being “hidden fascists” while NCP’s demands are entertained.
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“The government isn’t interested in talking to genuine protesters,” he said, pointing to a systemic bias that fuels public discontent.
This selective engagement, coupled with Yunus’ perceived alignment with Jamaat and NCP, risks escalating tensions. Tushar noted that Jamaat’s advisers are seen as impartial by their own party but not by others, creating a fragmented trust landscape. “Jamaat calls someone biased, BNP doesn’t; BNP calls someone biased, Jamaat doesn’t,” he explained, underscoring the polarised political climate.
The lack of accountability extends to law enforcement, with Tushar citing the government’s failure to address violent rhetoric and property seizures by NCP, mirroring tactics they criticise in others. “One country, two laws,” he lamented, invoking local proverbs to highlight the hypocrisy.
He warned that without addressing these inconsistencies, public faith in governance could erode further, potentially leading to unrest as the election approaches.
Call for Urgent Action
Tushar urged for swift elections—ideally in January 2026—to restore a “party government” accountable to the people, warning that delays would fuel controversy and distrust. “People want change, not a 14-party circus,” he said, criticising the interim government’s broad coalition as unresponsive to public grievances.
He called for transparency in addressing adviser biases and equitable treatment of all parties to ensure a level playing field.
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