From Gallows to Parliamentary Victory

Once facing the grim prospect of the gallows, a remarkable political reversal has seen several leaders emerge from years of imprisonment to claim decisive victories in the national elections. In a dramatic turn of events, BNP leaders Lutfuzzaman Baber, Abdus Salam Pintu, and Jamaat leader ATM Azharul Islam have transitioned from death sentences to the halls of parliament, symbolising a rare chapter in Bangladesh’s political history.

Background and Election Outcomes

Lutfuzzaman Baber, arrested in 2007 for his alleged role in the 2004 grenade attack on an Awami League rally, spent eighteen years in the dark confines of prison without receiving bail for even a single day. Following a political change of government, he was acquitted in all cases and released on 16 January of last year. Returning to his home constituency of Netrokona, Baber contested the parliamentary elections under the BNP’s “paddy sheaf” symbol, securing a resounding victory with a margin of over 120,000 votes.

Similarly, Abdus Salam Pintu, who was sentenced to death for his involvement in the 21 August grenade attack, completed seventeen years in prison before his release on 24 December 2024. Returning to his birthplace in Tangail, he contested from the Gopalpur-Bhunapur constituency and won nearly 200,000 votes, reaffirming his political influence despite the shadow of his past conviction.

ATM Azharul Islam, a senior Jamaat leader, was condemned to death for crimes against humanity. Arrested in 2009, he remained in prison from 2012 until 28 May of last year. Despite his grim past, he emerged victorious from Rangpur-2 (Taraganj-Badarganj), securing a substantial majority and re-entering national politics.

This unprecedented scenario—leaders who once faced imminent execution now entering parliament through overwhelming popular support—has left political analysts and observers astonished. It underscores the complexities of Bangladesh’s legal and electoral landscape and highlights how political fortunes can dramatically shift with changes in governance and public sentiment.

The election outcomes of Baber, Pintu, and Azharul Islam not only mark their personal political comebacks but also exemplify the resilience of democratic processes in a country with a turbulent political past. From the gallows to parliamentary benches, their journeys serve as a striking reminder of how justice, politics, and public opinion can intersect in unexpected ways.