Sharif Osman Hadi, convener of Inqilab Mancha, has died while undergoing treatment in Singapore. Centered on this death, a carefully planned conspiracy by Jamaat-e-Islami and its allied groups has reached a final stage aimed at sabotaging the election, spreading chaos across the country. As a result, the future of the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election has fallen into deep uncertainty, while the path has opened for the interim government’s Chief Adviser, Dr. Muhammad Yunus, to remain in power for an extended period.
Just one day after the election schedule was announced, on December 12, Sharif Osman Hadi, a prospective independent candidate for the Dhaka-8 constituency, was brutally shot in broad daylight on a busy road in Purana Paltan in the capital. Critically injured, he was first taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital and later transferred to Singapore. Despite doctors’ best efforts, he did not survive. News of Hadi’s death was confirmed by the official page of Inqilab Mancha and sources at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Immediately after Hadi’s death, Inqilab Mancha threatened blockades and shutdowns across the country, including Shahbagh. A large-scale blockade has already been carried out at Shahbagh, bringing traffic in the capital to a standstill. Intelligence sources allege that Jamaat-affiliated groups are directly behind these actions.
Analysts believe this killing is part of Jamaat’s premeditated mission to derail the election. Shortly after the attack, a post appeared on the verified Facebook page of former DUCSU vice president and Jamaat-aligned leader Abu Sadiq Qayem, stating: “Osman Hadi has been shot. To free Dhaka city from extortionists and gangsters, our uprising will begin soon. We call on the students and masses of the capital to be prepared.” The post made no mention of wishing for Hadi’s recovery and instead issued a direct threat of an “uprising,” sparking widespread criticism. A subsequent post attempted to place the blame on the BNP, further deepening suspicion.
Intelligence and political sources claim that the shooter had close links with Sadiq Qayem and that Jamaat played a calculated role behind the entire incident. The Dhaka-8 constituency is considered commercially significant, with alleged annual extortion flows of 4.5 to 5.5 billion taka. Jamaat had reportedly been trying to assert control over the area by pushing leaders like Sadiq Qayem as candidates.
[Election Uncertain Amid Jamaat Conspiracy, Dr. Yunus Set to Remain in Power Long Term]
Speaking on condition of anonymity, a political analyst said, “This killing is Jamaat’s final tactic to sabotage the election. They know their position is weak in a fair vote. So they are creating chaos to obstruct the electoral process. If the election is delayed, Dr. Yunus’s interim government will remain in power longer, which suits Jamaat.”
Another analyst commented, “This conspiracy is not limited to a single constituency. Jamaat is heating up the entire electoral environment to make a fair election impossible. Using Hadi’s death as a pretext, threats are being made to paralyze the country. This has made the election uncertain and is paving the way for Dr. Yunus to stay in power for a prolonged period.”
Following Hadi’s death, Inqilab Mancha stated that the country would be shut down until the killers are arrested. With no response yet from the Election Commission, concerns over the future of the election are growing. Analysts warn that if Jamaat’s conspiracy succeeds, the government led by Dr. Yunus will remain in power longer, pushing the country’s democratic process into a deeper crisis.
