Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman has warned that those involved in vote rigging, election manipulation and conspiracies will not be spared in the upcoming local government elections.
He alleged that the country’s electoral system is under attack and called on people to unite and resist any attempt to manipulate the polls.
“From now on, we must stand firm and confront all conspiracies through public resistance,” he said.
Shafiqur Rahman made the remarks while addressing a conference of upazila representatives organised by the party’s central youth and sports department at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB) in Ramna, Dhaka, on Saturday.
The Jamaat chief, who is also the leader of the opposition in parliament, said history had shown that no force or weapon could prevail against a united and organised people.
Announcing that the party would hold programmes throughout December, he urged leaders and activists to mobilise all their strength to make the programmes successful.
He said the programmes would not be aimed at obstructing anyone.
Shafiqur Rahman also called for replacing dishonest leadership with honest leadership at all levels of society.
Describing fascism as a “virus” rather than a problem associated with any particular political party, he said anyone displaying fascist characteristics should be identified accordingly.
He said he is not yet calling the current government fascist, but alleged that many signs of fascism were visible within it.
The younger generation would not allow fascism to return to the country, and there would be no compromise in building a fascism-free Bangladesh, he added.
Expressing concern over the country’s drug situation, the Jamaat chief alleged that young people were being systematically pushed towards destruction.
He said juvenile gangs, once largely unfamiliar in the country, had spread from cities to villages. Drug-related activities are no longer limited to consumption, as many young people had become major players in the drug trade, he claimed.
He also alleged that drugs are being sold and consumed inside schools.
Golam Porwar questions government’s commitment to July aspirations
Speaking as a special guest, Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar questioned whether the government could fulfil the aspirations that emerged from the July uprising.
He alleged that those who had come to power by deceiving the people could not be expected to implement the public’s expectations from the July movement.
He said the government would have to accept the referendum verdict through constitutional means in parliament, warning that if no solution was reached there, the matter would be settled on the streets.
The conference was chaired by Jamaat’s central youth and sports department President Ahsanul Mahboob Zubair.
Jamaat lawmakers Syed Zainul Abedin, Kamal Hossain, Abdul Baten and Mir Ahmad Bin Quasem (Arman) were also present.
Bangladesh Labour Welfare Federation President Atiqur Rahman, Islami Chhatra Shibir Secretary General Sibgatullah and Ducsu Vice-President Abu Sadiq (Sadiq Kayem) also attended.
Jamaat leaders from different levels, lawmakers, youth and sports department representatives, and delegates from across the country were present at the conference.
