Staff Reporter:
Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman on Friday said that his party is determined to launch a fierce battle against extortionists and syndicate groups that have been exploiting the people of Bangladesh, emphasising that change in the country’s governance is inevitable.
“The victory in the upcoming elections would lead to a transformation in Bangladesh, where people from all walks of life, including rickshaw pullers, would have the opportunity to rise to political leadership based on merit,” he told a rally organised by the 10-party alliance at Adarsha Samad Government High School ground in Lakshmipur after the Jummah prayers.
Shafiqur said, “We are speaking today because of the July revolution. We will vote because of the July revolution. The son of a king cannot simply inherit the throne. We will establish a Bangladesh where even a rickshaw puller can rise to become a Member of Parliament (MP) or a minister based on his merit.”
He assured the people of Bangladesh that once the 10-party alliance wins the upcoming national elections on 12 February, the country’s landscape would change drastically. “After the victory, from 13 February onwards, 90% of the extortionists will be permanently removed from power,” he said.
He also highlighted that the revolution that began in Dhaka University in July, marked by oppression against female students, would lead to systemic changes.
Jamaat Ameer recalled the sacrifice of Shaheed Abu Sayeed, who gave his life during the revolution. “He did not run away; rather, his blood remains a legacy with us,” Shafiqur added.
He emphasized that the core message of the revolution was equality and justice, which remains the central challenge today.
He also expressed concern about the current environmental crisis, pointing out that in the month of Magh, there was no winter and no rainfall during the monsoon season. He attributed this to the exploitation of nature by the current ruling party.
“The people are paying the price for the mismanagement of nature, and now the entire nation is suffering,” he said, adding that extortionists, who resemble vultures, are preying on ordinary people, leaving farmers, transporters, and small business owners in despair.
Shafiqur warned that while extortion and corruption are rampant today, his party would no longer tolerate such practices after they assume power. “We will not hesitate to take harsh action against extortionists, regardless of their background or relations. Those who engage in both politics and extortion will be identified and isolated from society,” he said.
Chaired by Lakshmipur District Ameer Master Ruhul Amin Bhuiyan, it was also addressed by 10-party alliance candidate for Lakshmipur-1 Mohammad Mahbub Alam, the Jamaat candidate for Lakshmipur-2 Master Ruhul Amin Bhuiyan, Jamaat candidate for Lakshmipur-3 Dr. Rezaul Karim and local Jamaat leaders including Professor Liakat Ali and AR Hafiz Ullah, as well as central committee members and local activists.
Shafiqur Rahman also visited the families of those who embraced martyrdom and injured in the 4 August 2024, shooting incident in Lakshmipur, where cadres of the ruling party targeted Jamaat supporters.
He promised that if elected, his government would address local issues such as the construction of railway connections, the protection of the Meghna riverbanks, and resolving the problems of Asia’s largest fish breeding training centre.
