Old politics must not return, says Jamaat Ameer
Staff Reporter :
Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman on Friday vowed to fulfil long-standing demands of Noakhali residents, including the establishment of a new administrative division and a city corporation, if the Jamaat-led 11-party alliance is voted to power.
He made the remarks while addressing a large election rally at the Noakhali Zila School grounds on Thursday afternoon, where he attended as the chief guest. Dr Shafiqur said the promises would be implemented in phases based on “insaf” (justice).
Outlining a six-point development plan for the region, the Jamaat chief said the alliance would prioritise environmental protection and connectivity in Noakhali and its surrounding coastal areas.
He pledged effective measures to prevent river erosion in Hatiya, Companiganj and Subarnachar, which remain vulnerable to flooding and land loss.
The plan also includes the construction of river closures on the Companiganj and Choto Feni rivers, along with the expansion of the railway network from Sonapur to Chairman Ghat in Hatiya to improve regional transport and economic activity.
During his speech, Dr Shafiqur recalled the reported ordeal of a woman in Subarnachar who was allegedly tortured in a previous election for voting for the “Sheaf of Paddy,” the electoral symbol of the BNP.
He said a new municipality would be established in Subarnachar as a tribute to her resilience and dignity.
Addressing voters in Lakshmipur later in the day, Dr Shafiqur said the alliance would not revive old political divisions or engage in confrontational politics.
“If people elect this unity with their sacred votes, we will keep our promises. We will not divide the nation or return to past conflicts,” he said at a rally held at the Lakshmipur Adarsha Samad Government High School field on Friday afternoon.
Emphasising youth empowerment, he rejected the idea of unemployment allowances, saying such measures undermine young people’s dignity. Instead, he pledged to create skilled employment opportunities and hand over national leadership to the youth.
He claimed that 62 percent of candidates nominated by the Jamaat-led alliance are young people, describing it as a signal that the future of the country belongs to the younger generation.
Dr Shafiqur also warned against violence against women, criticising political forces that, he said, publicly speak of welfare for mothers while tolerating abuse against them. He said any attack on women would be met with strong public resistance, citing past incidents that sparked nationwide outrage.
Criticising what he described as the country’s “old political arrangement,” the Jamaat chief said decades of governance had given rise to authoritarianism, corruption, extortion and human rights abuses.
He said such politics must not be allowed to return, adding that the alliance seeks to build a new political order based on justice, dignity and accountability.
Senior leaders of the Jamaat-led 11-party alliance and candidates from Lakshmipur constituencies were present at the rallies.