Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman on Friday announced that if elected in the upcoming 13th national parliamentary election, his party would implement the first Teesta Mega Plan in northern Bangladesh.
He made the remarks while addressing an election rally organised by the 10-party alliance at the Rangpur Public Library ground.
“The revival of rivers means the revival of life in the north. That is why the Teesta Mega Plan must be implemented,” he said, adding that Jamaat would not care who supports or opposes the project. “If you give us responsibility, the first spade will be struck on the Teesta in the north,” he asserted.
Dr Shafiqur Rahman said Jamaat does not want one-party rule but people’s rule, where scholars, patriots and those who love the country, but reject domination, will work together to build Bangladesh.
He said Jamaat is willing to work with everyone, but set three conditions: no corruption, no sheltering of corrupt individuals, and ensuring justice for all regardless of wealth, gender, religion or ethnicity. The judiciary, he added, must remain fully independent, free from political interference.
Criticising past governance, the Jamaat chief said people had been oppressed under authoritarian rule for years and deprived of basic human rights. He alleged widespread corruption, killings, enforced disappearances and political repression, including the targeting of Jamaat and Islami Chhatra Shibir leaders and activists.
Claiming Jamaat was the most persecuted political force, he said the party never harassed innocent people, demanded extortion or engaged in corrupt practices. “We want a Bangladesh free from corruption, extortion and deception,” he said, urging voters to reject false promises.
On employment, Dr Shafiqur Rahman said Jamaat does not support unemployment allowances, arguing that they encourage dependency. Instead, the party aims to create dignified jobs for both men and women and turn citizens into productive assets.
Referring to northern Bangladesh, he said the region had been deliberately neglected despite being the country’s food-producing hub. Jamaat, he pledged, would transform the north into an agro-industrial hub, reopen closed sugar mills, establish agricultural universities if needed, and ensure no young person remains unemployed.
On healthcare, he said people from the north are forced to travel to Dhaka for treatment. If Jamaat forms the government, every district will have a medical college, including one in Thakurgaon.
Calling for unity, Dr Shafiqur Rahman urged voters to support not only Jamaat-e-Islami but the entire 10-party alliance to build a new Bangladesh free from corruption, discrimination and authoritarianism.
Jamaat leader ATM Azhar, NCP Member Secretary Akhtar Hossain, Islami Chhatra Shibir central secretary Sibgatullah Sibga, Jamaat candidates from six constituencies, and leaders of the 10-party alliance were present at the rally.