Islami Andolan Bangladesh Ameer Mufti Syed Muhammad Rezaul Karim on Sunday called on voters to back the ‘Hand Fan’ (Hatpakha) symbol, saying the party seeks to build a state run on principles and sound policies.
Speaking at election rallies, he said previous governments led by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and Jamaat-e-Islami had failed to fulfil people’s expectations despite having been in power.
According to a press release, the rallies were held at Phulbaria in support of Mufti Nure Alam Siddiqui, the Islami Andolan Bangladesh-nominated candidate for Mymensingh-6, and in Mymensingh city in support of the party’s candidate for Mymensingh-4.
Addressing the gatherings, the Dharmonai Pir said Islami Andolan Bangladesh was not isolated, claiming that the public and Ulama across the country stood with the party.
He said attempts were initially made to forge unity among Islamic political forces, but Islami Andolan Bangladesh chose to move independently after Jamaat-e-Islami, according to him, deviated from its commitment to implementing Islamic principles and ideals.
Criticising past administrations, the IAB chief alleged that when BNP and Jamaat were in power, the country became a “champion in corruption”.
He claimed that over the past 54 years the country had fallen behind due to corruption, killings, enforced disappearances and money laundering carried out in the name of development.
Rezaul Karim said Islami Andolan Bangladesh was working not merely for a change of faces but for a fundamental shift in policy.
He said if the party was given state responsibility, corruption would be eliminated and a Bangladesh aligned with people’s aspirations would be built.
He also said many candidates talked about development while ignoring policy reform, arguing that if Members of Parliament framed correct policies and ensured accountability in implementation, development would naturally reach every citizen.
The rallies were attended by Maulana Nurul Karim Akram, Central Training Secretary of Islami Andolan Bangladesh, Hossein Ahmed, Central Vice President of Islami Chhatra Andolan Bangladesh, and other regional leaders.
