Dhaka: Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has said that the red card will be shown against corruption, extortion, terrorism, dynastic rule and bank robbers in the next elections. These irregularities and unfair politics will no longer be tolerated.
The Jamaat Ameer made these remarks while addressing an election rally as the chief guest at the Shakta Government School grounds in Keraniganj, Dhaka on Saturday (January 31). NCP central convener Md. Naid Islam and Jatiya Ganotantrik Party (JAGPA) president Rashed Bhatto were present as special guests.
Addressing the BNP, Dr. Shafiqur Rahman said, a party got into trouble by saying ‘no’ in July. In the end, they agreed to say ‘yes’ under the pressure of the people. The people will choose the right leadership in the future through voting by giving a mandate.
The Jamaat Amir said, “Those who were in power in the past played the game of murder, disappearances and bloodshed. If we come to power in the future, we want to build a peaceful Bangladesh with everyone.”
Dr. Shafiqur Rahman said, “We want to show the red card to the rotten politics of the past. We want to build a peaceful and happy Bangladesh. The past government gave the gift of fascism, gave the gift of dictatorship, and made the country a champion in corruption. We want to show the red card to that politics. For us, Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists, and Christians are all equal. We are determined to ensure the rights of all of them.”
In his speech as the chief guest, Dr. Shafiqur Rahman harshly criticized the past rulers, saying that they did not love the country; rather, they exploited it for a long time. The country has been turned into a crematorium through disappearances, murders, and a ‘mirror house’ culture.
The Jamaat Ameer said, “Now is the time to take a decision. We must build a safe and just Bangladesh through the implementation of the July Charter.”
Dr. Shafiqur Rahman said, if Jamaat-e-Islami comes to power in the future, Keraniganj will be transformed into a model township. Keraniganj will be upgraded to a first-class municipality and brought under planned and modern urbanization.
The Jamaat Ameer also said that special importance will be given to improving the quality of education, health, communication and citizen services.
Regarding the election, Dr. Shafiqur Rahman said that the country’s independence and sovereignty must be further consolidated by voting ‘yes’ on the 12th. He said that they are moving forward with the goal of ending fascist politics through an 11-party unity coalition and establishing an accountable and public welfare state system.
The Jamaat Ameer said, “Women are being attacked in various places, in some places hands are being raised against mothers and sisters. We will appeal to them with utmost humility, you also have mothers and sisters. Respect your mothers and sisters, then you will be able to respect all the mothers and sisters of Bengal.”
Seeking votes for the 11-party electoral unity, Dr. Shafiqur Rahman said, “The mark on the scales is the mark of protecting independence, the mark of protecting the sovereignty of Bangladesh. The mark of taking the country forward.”
Earlier, the grounds of Shanta High School were filled to the brim on the occasion of the arrival of the Jamaat Ameer. The public meeting place was filled with slogans. The Jamaat Ameer took the stage at 4:45 pm. He spoke from 5:10 pm to 5:50 pm. After his speech, he handed over scales and shaplakli symbols to the candidates of the five constituencies of Dhaka district.
Speaking as a special guest at the rally, NCP convener Nahid Islam said, “If there is an attempt to engineer the election, we will take to the streets again in unity, just as we took to the streets on August 5. We have to protect our own democracy.” He called for the candidates of the 11-party alliance to win.
In his special guest speech, Rashed Pradhan, President of the National Democratic Party (NDP), said, “Everyone is ready for the 12th. The bullet war has ended in the July Revolution, now we have to jump into the voting war.”
Dhaka District Ameer and Central Majlish-e-Shura member Mohammad Delwar Hossain presided over the public meeting. Among others, Jamaat-e-Islam’s Assistant Secretary General and Director of the Central Election Committee ATM Masum spoke. In addition, Jamaat-nominated candidate for Dhaka-1 constituency consisting of Nawabganj and Dohar upazilas Barrister Md. Nazrul Islam, Jamaat-nominated candidate for Dhaka-2 constituency consisting of seven unions of Keraniganj upazila and three unions of Savar upazila Colonel Abdul Haque, Jamaat-nominated candidate for Keraniganj Dhaka-3 constituency Principal Shahinur Islam, NCP candidate for Dhaka-19 constituency nominated by 11-party alliance candidate Dilshana Parul and NCP candidate for Dhaka district’s 20 constituency Engineer Nabila Tasnid, among others, spoke. In addition, Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir General Secretary Sibgatullah Sibga, Jamaat-e-Islami Dhaka District Secretary Maulana Afzal Hossain, Nayeb-e-Amir Abdur Rauf and others spoke at the rally.