Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman on Friday said that standing on the ruins, February 12 parliamentary election is calling for the nation’s freedom.
He made the remarks while addressing an election rally as the chief guest at the stadium ground of Boalmari upazila under Faridpur-1 constituency in the evening. The rally was organised seeking votes for Jamaat-nominated candidate Dr Elias Mollay. Dr Shafiqur Rahman joined the rally around 6:30 pm.
“Standing on a heap of destruction, February 12 is beckoning our freedom. What has happened in the past has happened. We now want to build a new Bangladesh,” he said.
Clarifying his vision, the Jamaat chief said the country’s map would not change, but its character would. “We will not change the map of Bangladesh, but we will change its nature,” he added.
Referring to the upcoming election, Dr Shafiqur Rahman said the February 12 vote is sending a different message as youths have awakened. “From now on, vigilance is necessary. Threats may come from above like black kites swooping down to snatch votes, and conspiracies have already started on the ground,” he warned.
Calling on the youth to remain alert, he said, “The slogan ‘I will cast my vote and also yours’ must end. If anyone tries to interfere with votes, they must be resisted. No compromise will be tolerated.”
He urged voters to make the first vote on February 12 a referendum and vote ‘Yes’. “I do not seek the victory of Jamaat-e-Islami; I seek the victory of 180 million people,” he said.
Pledging to change what he termed the ‘rotten culture’ of politics, Dr Shafiqur Rahman said, “After being elected, wealth should not suddenly multiply through in-laws. Before elections, leaders often have little wealth, but once elected, assets grow rapidly. We want to end this decayed political practice.”
The rally was presided over by district Jamaat Nayeb-e-Ameer Abu Harich Mollay. Among others, district Jamaat Ameer Maulana Badruddin and Faridpur-1 candidate Dr Elias Mollay also spoke.
Later, Dr Shafiqur Rahman attended another election rally at Government Rajendra College ground in Faridpur town in support of Faridpur-3 candidate Professor Abdut Tawab.