A good feature at Reuters

“On the one hand they (Jamaat) follow political democracy,” said Baidya. “On the other hand, under other names, they are strengthening their militant forces.”

Islamist parties are not popular enough to take power in Bangladesh through the ballot box, observers say. Nor are Islamists likely to get in by the back door, through a military coup, as they have in the past in countries like Pakistan.

But many commentators see plenty of reasons for concern at the way the religious right has used its position in government to expand its power like never before.

“What is happening here is a gradual transformation — although that is not to say it cannot be reversed,” said Samina Ahmed, South Asia director for the International Crisis Group.

“It is a long way from saying this (Jamaat) is a party that promotes terrorism, but intolerance — yes. Reducing the space for liberals — yes,” said Ahmed. “The more the space for liberal voices shrinks, the more extremists gain.”

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