Jamaat sets sights on local govt polls as ‘second battle’

Staff Reporter :

Jamaat-e-Islami has turned its attention to local government elections, describing them as the party’s next strategic battleground following the national polls.

Addressing party leaders and activists at a community centre in Sylhet, Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman urged members to begin preparations immediately, calling the upcoming contests the party’s “second battle”.

“Our first battle was the national election. The second will be in local government polls. Every position must be contested, and none should remain vacant for Jamaat,” he said.

Shafiqur outlined the party’s approach to strengthening its local base, emphasising that capable individuals who supported Jamaat during the national election would be entrusted with key local responsibilities.

He stressed that achieving success would require consideration, discipline, and personal sacrifice.

Reflecting on the previous general election, Shafiqur claimed the outcome did not reflect public expectations, alleging that the party’s “rights were taken away” during the process.

“Wherever we go, people tell us we did not lose; we were made to lose,” he remarked, highlighting perceived irregularities.

He also pointed to three gains from the national election: the formation of a meaningful alliance under Jamaat leadership, taking responsibility as the main opposition party, and successfully contending against what he described as a combined force of six rival entities.

The Jamaat chief indicated that the party now plans to formulate a strategy to counter this combined force in future electoral battles.

Citing reports from groups like Transparency International Bangladesh and SHUJAN, he suggested there were concerns over coordinated opposition strategies.

Shafiqur further claimed that financial incentives and voter intimidation in Dhaka’s slum areas failed to sway public opinion, asserting that the results reflected genuine support for the party.

“Promises alone did not determine the outcome. People exercised their vote independently,” he said.

The party’s focus on local elections marks a tactical shift as it seeks to consolidate grassroots influence and ensure representation across municipalities, wards, and local councils setting the stage for a prolonged political campaign at the sub-national level.