DHAKA: The International Crisis Group (ICG) on Monday said “extremists and criminal networks could exploit the resulting political void” out of two largest mainstream parties unwillingness to work toward a new political compact that respects the rights of both opposition and victor to govern within the rule of law.

The ICG made the forecast in a report titled ‘Mapping Bangladesh’s Political Crisis’ that has published Monday.

The report also said, “Violent Islamist factions are already reviving, threatening the secular, democratic order. While jihadi forces see both parties as the main hurdle to the establishment of an Islamic order, the AL and the BNP perceive each other as the main adversary.”

It also said, “While the BNP claims to be the guardian of Bangladeshi nationalism, the AL has attempted to depict itself as the sole author and custodian of Bangladesh’s liberation.”

The report forewarned the incumbent government saying, “The AL needs to realise that the BNP’s marginalisation from mainstream politics could encourage anti-government activism to find more radical avenues, all the more so in light of its own increasingly authoritarian bent.”

It added, “The BNP would do well to abandon its alliances of convenience with violent Islamist groups and seek to revive agreement on a set of basic standards for multiparty democracy.”

The report recommended that both parties should restrain their violent activist base and take practical steps to reduce political tensions.

BDST: 2210 HRS, FEB 09, 2015