Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer and Leader of the Opposition in Parliament Dr Shafiqur Rahman on Saturday alleged that the government wants the opposition to behave like the “yes-men” of the deposed Awami League regime.
Speaking to journalists at Moulvibazar Circuit House in the morning, he also referred to the BNP’s position on the Awami League, saying the party had stated that the Awami League was not its enemy and that its offices would be reopened, cases withdrawn and political space restored if people voted the BNP to power.
“If illegal money and lethal weapons enter the country from India, what benefit does the government get from it? The entry of such weapons and money through the border only worsens the overall law-and-order situation in the country,” he said.
Criticising the home minister, the Jamaat chief said the law-and-order situation was not satisfactory. He also raised questions about an incident at the residence of a police officer.
Asked about Jamaat’s participation in local government elections, Shafiqur Rahman said the decision would depend on the situation at the time.
“We are observing the overall political situation, the environment and the aspirations of the people. The party will make a decision at the appropriate time after assessing the circumstances,” he said.
Journalists at the meeting asked questions about the country’s current political situation, law and order, and foreign policy. The Jamaat Ameer responded to their queries and stressed the need for journalists to enjoy freedom in performing their professional duties and to publish accurate information.
Among those present were Jamaat’s Assistant Secretary General Advocate Ahsanul Mahbub Zubair, Moulvibazar district Ameer Engineer Shahed Ali, district Secretary Yamir Ali and Habiganj district Ameer Maulana Makhlishur Rahman Chowdhury, among others.
Later, Shafiqur Rahman attended a conference at the Moulvibazar District Shilpakala Academy as the chief guest. The event brought together party representatives from five municipalities, 67 union parishads and 603 wards in the district, along with party rukons and officials responsible for local election candidates.