Bangladesh Elections: BNP Leads Polls, Jamaat Gains, NCP Emerges as Kingmaker

• The first opinion poll for the Bangladesh elections on February 12 indicates a lead for BNP, with Jamaat-e-Islami showing significant gains.
• BNP's strength is attributed to Tarique Rahman's return and sympathy for Begum Khaleda Zia, despite extortion allegations.
• Jamaat-e-Islami is projected for its best performance since 1991, leveraging social media and anti-India rhetoric among youth.
• The new National Citizen Party (NCP), part of an 11-party alliance with Jamaat, could act as a kingmaker.
• The Awami League was banned, and Sheikh Hasina sentenced to death in absentia, leaving millions of supporters politically orphaned.