Dhaka, June 25 -- Bangladesh's political landscape looks set for another period of uncertainty, with growing debate over the role and ambitions of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami.

The party appears to be in a hurry to translate political influence into power, even if that means increasing confrontation and instability rather than contributing to democratic consolidation. Recent remarks by Jamaat Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman have intensified this debate.

Dr Rahman's reported warning that Jamaat would launch a movement against the BNP-led government if reforms and implementation of the July Charter are not carried out can be viewed by opponents as premature political pressure. Such an approach negates efforts to strengthen democratic institutions ...