Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman has said that the upcoming election on 12 February is no ordinary election. It is an election to show the ‘red card’ to those who have deceived, betrayed, and been unfaithful to the nation over the past 54 years since independence.
He said these things as the chief guest at a massive election rally organised by Lalmonirhat and Nilphamari district Jamaat-e-Islami at the Teesta Barrage-adjacent helipad field in Hatibandha, Lalmonirhat, on Wednesday afternoon.
In his speech, Shafiqur Rahman said, this election will have two votes. One is Yes, which symbolizes freedom, and the other is No, which symbolizes subjugation. To reflect the hopes and aspirations of mothers and sisters and to establish “justice” in the country, he called for casting the first vote in “Yes” and ensuring victory for the candidates of the 11-party alliance with the second vote.
He said, “I do not only want the victory of Jamaat, I want the victory of 18 crore people. The victory of the ‘Yes’ vote means the victory of the people.”
Referring to the neglect of the northern region, Shafiqur Rahman said, “The Teesta is the pride of this region. I promise, we will give our lives for the Teesta. The Teesta will be the central point of the economy of North Bengal. We will implement the Teesta Master Plan at any cost.”
He announced that if Jamaat comes to power, the northern region will be developed as the country’s agricultural capital. Additionally, he promised comprehensive development of roads and railways, including modernisation of Burimari land port.
Emphasising qualitative change in politics, he said, “Politics is not business, extortion, or rioting in its name. Those who raise hands against mothers and sisters in the name of politics will not be tolerated.” He said firmly, “A certain party flees the country during times of crisis, but we are not ‘fair-weather friends’. We are and will remain clinging to the soil of the country in happiness and sorrow. We seek refuge in the hearts of the country’s people.”
The Jamaat ameer said, “They have committed corruption in the name of politics, but corruption and politics cannot go together. We want to build a new, corruption-free Bangladesh where the responsibility for prosperity will be in the hands of the youth.”
He said, “A new sun will rise in the eastern sky of Bangladesh on the 13th. After concluding his speech, Shafiqur Rahman handed over the election symbol to the nominated candidates for the 7 parliamentary constituencies of Lalmonirhat and Nilphamari.”
The event was presided over by Lalmonirhat District Jamaat Ameer and candidate for Lalmonirhat-3 constituency, Abu Taher. Speaking as a special guest was the party’s Assistant Secretary General Abdul Halim.
Additionally, leaders from various levels of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and local leaders of Jamaat’s “Hindu wing” gave speeches. Earlier, he attended another rally in Kurigram in the morning and reached the Teesta Helipad field by helicopter at 1:45pm.
At least 50,000 people, including leaders, activists, and supporters of Jamaat-e-Islami from Lalmonirhat and Nilphamari districts, participated in the helipad rally.
