Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman has said they would form a unity government by including defeated rivals if elected in the 12 February election, without naming BNP.
“If elected, the 11-party alliance will form a unity government in the country,” he said on Saturday while addressing an election rally of the alliance in Chauddagram, Cumilla.
The Jamaat chief said the future Bangladesh would be driven by youth aspirations, adding that the alliance would move forward by upholding the country’s heritage while working to build national unity, and that it was sending a message of unity to the nation.
He said unity would only be possible if there was a commitment to stop bank looting, irregularities, corruption and extortion, and to end the practice of taking money from ordinary people.
Calling for sweeping reforms, Shafiqur said the education system required a fundamental overhaul, arguing that a strong nation could not be built without quality education.
He said the people wanted change and that the coming change would reflect the aspirations of the youth, rejecting what he described as fascism and domination, and pledging that the Jamaat-led 11-party alliance would govern the country on behalf of the people if elected.
He also said that party leader Syed Abdullah Muhammad Taher would be included in the cabinet if the alliance formed the government.
The rally was chaired by Jamaat Nayeb-e-Ameer Taher and addressed by National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis Ameer Mamunul Haque, Jamaat Nayeb-e-Ameer Abdul Halim, Assistant Secretary ATM Masum, Ducsu Vice-President Shadik Kayem and former Islami Chhatra Shibir central president Zahidul Islam.
Later, the Jamaat ameer addressed separate election rallies in Nimsar in Burichang upazila and in Daudkandi of Cumilla.
Meanwhile, speaking at an election rally at Sakta High School ground in Keraniganj on Saturday afternoon, Shafiqur Rahman said some people has begun speaking in favour of a “Yes” vote only after facing public pressure.
He said that whenever they tried to move forward, certain groups blocked the process, a reality the nation had witnessed repeatedly.
Referring to the July reform proposals, the Jamaat chief said those who had questioned the need for a referendum are now being compelled by public pressure to support a “Yes” vote.
