A local leader of Jamaat-e-Islami has been accused of forcibly taking two cows from a farmer in Dumki upazila of Patuakhali. The incident occurred on Friday evening, 21 November, in South Muradia village, according to the victim, farmer Abdul Barek Majumdar.

Locals reported that Jalil Pyada, the general secretary of Muradia Union Jamaat-e-Islami, took the cows from Barek’s house. The matter was later brought to the acting chairman of the union council, Hafizur Rahman Forkan, who held a meeting at Panchayet Bazar in the presence of former UP member Reza.

During the meeting, Jalil claimed that Barek’s son owed money to his brother and that the cows were taken to recover the outstanding amount. He also stated that a related case is ongoing in court.

Farmer Barek, however, said it was unjust to seize his property based on alleged dues involving his son. The acting chairman noted that although Jalil admitted taking the cows, he failed to present any evidence of the supposed debt.

Officer-in-Charge of Dumki Police Station, Zakir Hossain, said no formal complaint has been filed yet. He added that legal action would be taken if a complaint is lodged.

A recent Supreme Court verdict restoring Bangladesh’s caretaker government system has sparked renewed debate, as the upcoming national election will not be held under this arrangement. The ruling clarifies that the caretaker mechanism will apply only in future elections, potentially from the 14th parliamentary polls onward.

Political parties that long demanded the immediate reinstatement of the caretaker system—including the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami—submitted review petitions seeking the arrangement only “prospectively.” Their revised stance has raised questions among analysts, who note that the court’s decision reflects the arguments presented by the petitioners themselves.

BNP lawyer Zainul Abedin argued that an interim government is already in place and preparations for the election have begun, making an immediate caretaker government impossible. He cited the 1991 election overseen by Justice Shahabuddin Ahmed as an example of a fair poll conducted under an informal interim setup.

Jamaat’s lawyer Shishir Monir said the court deliberately emphasized a prospective implementation to avoid political controversy about the current government’s tenure. Lawyer Sharif Bhuiyan echoed this, adding that without an active parliament, the legal process for forming a caretaker administration cannot proceed.

However, senior Supreme Court lawyer Manzil Morshed believes political parties have shifted from their earlier demands, which ultimately shaped the court’s reasoning.

Attorney General Asaduzzaman described the verdict as historic, stating that the restored caretaker system is now constitutionally valid and must be implemented within 15 days of the next parliament’s dissolution. He also remarked that the earlier judgment led by Justice Khairul Haque was flawed and may have violated penal code provisions.

He further clarified that this ruling cannot be reviewed again, and that it does not conflict with the ongoing case regarding the 15th amendment, which abolished the caretaker system in 2011.

With the 13th national parliamentary election approaching, prospective candidates in the Jashore–88/4 constituency—covering Bagharpara, Abhaynagar and Basundia—have intensified their campaigns. They are regularly attending public meetings and community events as part of their outreach efforts.

Within the BNP, several leaders are vying for nomination, though party insiders claim that Engineer T.S. Aiyub has been finalized as the candidate. Aiyub, who has been active in BNP politics for nearly three decades, is known among supporters for standing by party activists facing legal or political pressure. However, internal divisions persist, as a faction of local BNP leaders— including former upazila chairman Abu Taher Siddiqi, Moshiyar Rahman and former municipal mayor Abdul Hai Mona—are opposing his candidature. Abhaynagar BNP president Matiar Rahman Farazi has also staged demonstrations demanding that Aiyub’s nomination be cancelled.

Jamaat-e-Islami has nominated its district ameer, Professor Golam Rasul, who is conducting grassroots campaigns with the party’s welfare-oriented political message. The party claims to have no internal divisions. Islami Andolon’s candidate, Advocate Bayezid Hossain, is also active in the field.

According to the Upazila Election Office, the constituency comprises one municipality and nine unions. Bagharpara has 196,031 registered voters, while Abhaynagar has 215,466. Combined, the constituency has more than 400,000 voters except Basundia union.