Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar on Saturday alleged that the country has been looted by three political parties since independence and called on voters to give Jamaat a chance to govern in the upcoming general election.
Speaking on Saturday at an election rally in Chandpur, Parwar said Bangladesh had suffered from ‘54 years of misrule’ and urged the electorate to support the party’s election symbol, ‘Daripalla’, in the February-12 polls.
He was addressing a rally at the Hasan Ali Government High School field organised in support of Jamaat-nominated candidate Md Shahjahan Mia for the Chandpur-3 constituency (Sadar–Haimchar).
Parwar also expressed concern over alleged threats against female supporters of Jamaat-e-Islami.
“If they can strip mothers before the election, they will strip the whole country afterwards,” he said, calling on voters to back ‘Daripalla’ to ‘protect the dignity of our mothers and sisters’ and safeguard the country.
Referring to the July uprising, he said the sacrifices of those killed and injured must not be allowed to go in vain, adding that the support for Jamaat-e-Islami was growing across villages.
The Jamaat leader accused the three major parties that have ruled the country of failing moral, ethical, patriotic and administrative tests. He alleged widespread corruption, repression of political dissent, weakening of the judiciary and the siphoning off of billions of taka abroad.
“People want change after 54 years of misrule,” Mr Parwar said. “This time, we will establish a government of justice and fairness, where every citizen can live safely.”
He also called on voters to remain vigilant on polling day, urging at least 200 people to be present at each polling centre. He said the Election Commission should ensure the use of CCTV cameras, police body-worn cameras and the deployment of the army to prevent ballot box snatching or the forcible takeover of polling stations.
Addressing the rally as a special guest, Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir central president Nurul Islam Saddam said the parties accused of corruption were incapable of ensuring national security.
He claimed that only those committed to Islam and justice could protect the country.
The rally was presided over by Chandpur city Jamaat Amir Advocate Md Shahjahan Khan and attended by local candidates and leaders from the 11-party alliance.
Earlier in the day, Parwar addressed another election rally in Faridganj and was scheduled to attend a further rally in the Chandpur-1 constituency later on Saturday.