Jamaat has ‘understanding’ with AL: Rizvi
BNP Acting Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Saturday accused Jamaat-e-Islami of having an “understanding” with the Awami League, whose activities are banned, claiming that his party has already presented documents and evidence to support the allegation.
He made the remarks while speaking to reporters after taking part in a dengue awareness campaign in Fakirapool in the capital.
Rizvi said that shortly after August 5, when, he claimed, the blood of the martyrs had not yet dried, Jamaat Ameer said the party would forgive everything the Awami League had done.
He also alleged that Jamaat had jointly led movements with the Awami League against the BNP, involving arson and violence. “These are historical records of their relationship with the Awami League,” he said.
On Friday, Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar alleged that the BNP had become moderate after reaching an agreement with the Awami League.
In response, Rizvi challenged Jamaat to provide evidence of the alleged agreement between the BNP and the Awami League.
“Show us the proof of the alleged agreement. We have already shown proof concerning them. These are clearly available in the media,” he said.
“We speak on the basis of documents, while they are making empty claims without producing evidence,” he added. Rizvi said Jamaat contested the 1986 parliamentary election alongside the Awami League, despite previously describing those who participated in elections under HM Ershad as “national traitors”.
“The BNP did not betray the people, and Begum Khaleda Zia did not betray them. They were the ones who betrayed the people. When Hasina left, Jamaat quietly went along with her,” he said.
He further accused Jamaat of seeking political legitimacy from the Awami League, citing historical interactions between Awami League leaders and Jamaat’s late former chief Ghulam Azam.
“There are records of an Awami League leader bowing to and greeting their former leader, late Ghulam Azam, by holding his feet. You are media professionals, and those documents are available to you,” he told journalists. Rizvi also questioned Jamaat’s role in the 1971 Liberation War, alleging that the party was seeking the Awami League’s endorsement on account of its historical position.
“Behind the scenes and publicly, they have maintained relationships on various issues. This is acknowledged by history and is an undeniable truth,” he claimed. He accused Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar of attempting to embarrass the current government through falsehoods and propaganda.
Turning to the BNP’s dengue prevention campaign, Rizvi said the party was working to raise awareness and prevent further infections.
He said dengue had spread widely in Dhaka and other parts of the country, with Khulna and Chattogram divisions particularly affected.
Rizvi said the government led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman was concerned about the outbreak and had taken various measures to tackle it. He said dengue tests were being provided free of charge at all government hospitals.
He added that the government had instructed city corporations to remain alert and take steps to eliminate potential mosquito-breeding grounds by cleaning stagnant water, drains and sewers.
Rizvi said BNP leaders and activists had been asked to conduct awareness campaigns across Dhaka and elsewhere in the country and help keep drains, sewers, canals and other potential breeding grounds of Aedes mosquitoes clean.
