Won’t indulge in graft, nor allow it, says Jamaat ameer

Jamaat-e-Islami yesterday launched its election campaign, with its ameer warning against the resurgence of fascism and vowing to build a corruption-free country.

Addressing a rally at the Adarsha School ground in Mirpur-10, Shafiqur Rahman, the party’s candidate for Dhaka-15, said if fascism reappears wearing a new outfit, it will meet the same fate as before.

Thousands of people gathered at the venue hours ahead of the scheduled time, while leaders and activists of Jamaat and other parties in the 10-party alliance took positions on nearby roads.

The formal programme began at 3:00pm with recitation from the Holy Quran. Saif Khan, son of July martyr Abdul Hannan, delivered the opening speech.

Referring to the last three elections, the Jamaat ameer said people had been unable to cast their votes and described those who deprived them of that right as vote thieves.

“We do not want to see any new vote thieves,” he said.

He added, “Those who can restrain their own activists from extortion, land grabbing, filing false cases, corruption, terrorism, killing people by throwing stones or by running them over with vehicles -- only they, I hope, will be able to present the people with a better Bangladesh in the days ahead.”

In a veiled reference to the BNP, Shafiqur also said extortion in the name of “tax” would no longer be allowed.

Pointing to the BNP’s promise to distribute family cards, he said, “We are not making any such promises. Can a family’s problems be solved with Tk 2,000?”

He also questioned the source of funds for such programmes.

“Where will the money come from? … This is not anyone’s personal money; it is taxpayers’ money. But there is also an unofficial tax,” he said.

“From every grocery shop, from street vendors, even from brothers or sisters begging by the roadside, money is being collected. We do not want that money to go to anyone. Not only that, we will stop this altogether, Insha’Allah [God willing].”

Highlighting Jamaat’s stance against corruption, he said, “We have declared that we will not take donations, nor will we allow anyone else to take them, Insha’Allah. We will not engage in corruption, and we will not allow anyone else to do so either.”

Shafiqur also pledged to build an inclusive Bangladesh.

“We want to build a Bangladesh that belongs to children; to young men and women; to Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, and Christians; and to workers, farmers, and professionals from all walks of life.”

At the rally, National Citizen Party Convener Nahid Islam called on the Election Commission to act neutrally to ensure a fair election.

“There must be the same code of conduct for all parties. No discrimination will be accepted,” he said, adding that they were focusing on the election.

“Do not force us to wage a movement,” he warned.

Nahid said, “After the mass uprising, we entered politics with hope and aspirations to build a new Bangladesh. In that process, we have largely failed and many tasks remain unfinished. Insha’Allah, in this election, the 10-party alliance will win by a large margin and complete those unfinished tasks.”

Without naming the BNP, he added, “We hear about family cards, farmer cards. Cards should be given so people benefit. But will these cards really reach the intended recipients? Will people not have to pay a bribe of Tk 1,000 to receive a Tk 2,000 card?”

At the end of the rally, the Jamaat ameer handed out balance-scale symbols to party candidates and presented a balance-scale bearing a water-lily emblem to Nahid Islam.