Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman on Friday said the party sought to build a discrimination-free Bangladesh in line with public aspirations by rejecting dynastic politics and promoting merit-based leadership.
Addressing an election rally organised by Feni District Jamaat-e-Islami at the Feni Government Pilot High School ground, he said the party wanted to end what he described as a zamindari culture in politics, where power is passed down within families.
He said the 11-party alliance aimed to build an equal Bangladesh where even the son of a rickshaw puller could become prime minister if he had the ability.
Shafiqur Rahman said corrupt politics in the past had given rise to fascism and entrenched corruption, adding that Jamaat wanted to show politics a red card and build a new Bangladesh.
He said Jamaat did not believe in unemployment allowances and instead prioritised dignity through employment.
Women must be respected at home and in the workplace, he said, adding that if Jamaat came to power, the honour and dignity of scholars and Qawmi madrasas would be upheld.
He alleged that the Awami League had imposed misrule over the past 16 years, citing incidents including the Pilkhana killings, the deaths of Jamaat and BNP leaders and activists, and the killing of scholars and ulema.
He said people were freed from that misrule through what he termed the July 24 revolution.
Recalling his visit to Feni during last year’s devastating floods, he said Abrar Fahad was killed for speaking out on issues related to the Feni River and urged residents to remember him with respect.
Shafiqur Rahman said that if Jamaat came to power, government medical colleges would be established in 31 districts including Feni, specialised hospitals would be set up, dams would be built along the Feni River, and a modern stadium would be constructed in the district.
Calling for unity, he said candidates nominated by the 11-party alliance in Feni’s three constituencies must work together to ensure victory in building a new Bangladesh.
He also urged voters to cast a ‘Yes’ vote in the referendum.
Jamaat-e-Islami Assistant Secretary General Maulana ATM Masum, Central Majlis-e-Sura member Professor Liaquat Ali Bhuiyan, AB Party Chairman and 11-party alliance candidate for the Feni-2 constituency Mujibur Rahman Manju, and Jatiya Ganatantrik Party President Rashed Prodhan also addressed the rally.
At the end of the programme, the Jamaat ameer exchanged views with July fighters and families of martyrs and handed over party symbols to candidates contesting the three Feni seats.
