Rashed Khan, political assistant to the prime minister, has claimed that former bond of affection between Jamaat-e-Islami and activity-banned Awami League has been rekindled.
Speaking to journalists after Friday prayers at Nutan Hatkhola Mosque in Jhenaidah, he questioned why BNP would seek to bring back Awami League, mentioning that BNP had endured the maximum torture, enforced disappearances, and killings during the era of Awami fascism.
He observed that members of the public now perceive a revived relationship between Jamaat and Awami League, pointing out that Jamaat maintains silence on various Awami League issues.
Reacting to remarks made earlier in the morning by Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar during his visit to Jhenaidah, Rashed Khan said government is not placing any obstacles in the way of irrational long march programme being observed by Jamaat.
Addressing the topic of election irregularities, Rashed Khan alleged that if any election engineering took place, it was conducted in favour of Jamaat-e-Islami and NCP.
He added that general public does not believe Jamaat Amir Shafiqur Rahman and NCP Convener Nahid Islam entered the National Parliament through genuine public votes.
On allegations of corruption and extortion, Rashed Khan highlighted that BNP maintains a zero-tolerance policy against corruption, whereas Jamaat faces accusations of extorting money under the guise of providing protection to Awami League affiliates.
He contrasted this with his own party’s stance, asserting that immediate action is taken whenever allegations arise against their workers, without tolerating any injustice or irregularity.
In this context, he mentioned that prompt measures were recently enforced following complaints regarding irregularities in a local road construction project in Jhenaidah.
Rashed Khan further asserted that Jamaat Amir is speaking in the exact same language used by Sheikh Hasina from Delhi to destabilise the country, adding that no difference remains between the statements of Chhatra League and Islami Chhatra Shibir leaders.
Describing the current national situation, he said the government is forced to govern while managing the illicit activities of two political parties. He called upon Jamaat-e-Islami to halt its destabilising activities and extend cooperation to the government.
District BNP President Md Abdul Majid and other local party leaders and activists were present during the briefing.
