Jamaat Ameer warns against ‘engineered’ polls
Staff Reporter :
Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman on Thursday issued a stark warning against any attempt to manipulate the upcoming election, saying he was prepared to “sacrifice his life” if necessary to prevent the people’s rights from being taken away.
Speaking at a campaign rally in Dhaka’s Karwan Bazar in support of Saiful Alam Milon, the 11-party alliance candidate in the Dhaka-12 constituency, Dr Rahman said the country’s youth would resist any effort to impose election results “by force,” as had allegedly happened in the past.
“The youth of the July revolution have not fallen asleep,” he said, invoking last year’s mass uprising. “If anyone tries again to seize the election outcome through muscle power, the youth will block it.”
Dr Rahman accused unidentified groups of attacking Jamaat leaders and activists in different parts of the country, claiming such incidents were destroying the “level playing field” needed for a credible election.
He also alleged that women activists were being targeted and that intimidation was being used to disrupt the electoral environment. If the election process was derailed, he said, responsibility would rest with the interim government and the Election Commission.
The Jamaat chief said his party had not filed “false cases” or engaged in harassment against any group since August 5, and pledged that Jamaat-e-Islami would congratulate whichever party formed the next government through a fair and acceptable vote.
“If others win through a credible election, we will congratulate them,” he said. “And if we win, others must also have the mentality to accept that.”
He added that if Jamaat formed a government, all members of parliament would be required to publicly disclose their income, expenditure and activities every year.
Tough rhetoric on extortion and corruption
Expressing confidence in victory, Dr Rahman said what he described as the country’s “oppressed, freedom-loving people” would elect candidates of the 11-party alliance, predicting visible change from February 13.
He repeated a hardline message against extortionists, claiming that if the alliance came to power, “90 percent” of extortion networks would be neutralised immediately, while the remaining groups would be “convinced — or dealt with.”
“We will be ruthless when it comes to protecting public interest,” he said. “There will be no tolerance for extortion.”
He described extortion, corruption and violence as Bangladesh’s core problems, arguing that farmers were being deprived of fair prices because of syndicates and illegal toll collectors, with ordinary consumers paying the price.
Referring to a recent incident in Karwan Bazar where traders resisted extortion attempts, he urged business communities nationwide to stand up against such practices.
Focus on youth and employment
Dr Rahman placed strong emphasis on youth, saying the future of Bangladesh must be entrusted to young people and pledging to prevent them from becoming involved in drugs, violence or extortion.
“We will not insult young people by handing them unemployment allowances,” he said. “We will turn their hands into the hands of skilled builders of the nation.”
Candidate outlines local pledges
At the rally, Saiful Alam Milon formally announced a 12-point local manifesto, promising that if elected he would transform Dhaka-12 into a terrorism- and extortion-free area and work to improve the prospects of local traders.
The programme was chaired by Engineer Noman Ahmedi, director of the Dhaka-12 election committee and Ameer of Tejgaon South Thana Jamaat.
Other speakers included Jamaat central executive member Mobarak Hossain, Jagpa senior co-vice president Rashed Pradhan, NCP’s Saiful Islam, Islami Chhatra Shibir secretary general Sibgatullah, and former DUCSU vice president Sadik Kayem.
The rally comes amid an intensifying campaign season marked by sharp rhetoric, competing claims over the electoral environment, and growing focus on whether the upcoming vote can meet public expectations for credibility and security.