BNP's slogan says country first but in Practice it's family: Jamaat Amir

Jamaat-e-Islami Amir and Leader of the Opposition in the National Parliament Shafiqur Rahman has criticized BNP's slogan "Bangladesh First" (Sobar Age Bangladesh). His allegation is that while the ruling party speaks of the country in its slogan, in reality it is prioritizing its own family members.

The Jamaat Amir made this allegation today, Sunday, at a discussion meeting titled "One Year of the July Charter: An Account of Promises and Expectations" organized by the Amar Bangladesh (AB) Party at the Dhaka Reporters Unity in Segunbagicha in the capital.

Criticizing BNP's slogan, Shafiqur Rahman said that although the slogan speaks of the country, in reality priority is being given to oneself and one's family members.

Raising allegations of giving priority to one's own children, nephews, nieces, fathers-in-law, and wife, the Jamaat Amir said the country will not be handed over to a syndicate. The youth have risen up, and they will not stop until full liberation is achieved. Work will be carried out more strongly together with the youth.

The top leader of the opposition party expressed a firm stance on implementing the July National Charter and achieving a popular verdict through a referendum. He said that even if the BNP government changes its position, Jamaat will not retreat from its commitment. The opposition party will continue fighting to the end to fulfill the rights and expectations of the people.

Shafiqur Rahman claimed that they did not want the government's downfall; rather, they had expected the government to succeed. Because the government's success means the country's success. Although they had spoken of cooperating with the government until now, he announced that from now on they will cooperate with the country's 180 million people.

The top leader of Jamaat alleged that the government has failed to take the opposition party's cooperation and also lacks the competence to do so.

Claiming that BNP's political position has changed, Shafiqur Rahman said, "Until noon on August 5, 2024, BNP was a party like any other party. After that, the party overnight forgot its past mistakes." He insisted that although there were differences of opinion on various issues of the July Charter, there was no difference of opinion with BNP on the question of a referendum.

The Jamaat Amir said that they had wanted the referendum to be held before the national election, so that no uncertainty would be created regarding the implementation of the referendum's decision. But BNP took the position in favor of holding the national election and the referendum on the same day.

The Leader of the Opposition alleged that although MPs took the oath as members of parliament after the election, they did not take the oath as members of the Constitutional Reform Council. This incident has cast doubt on the government's position regarding the implementation of the July Charter.

Raising allegations against the BNP government of weakening state institutions, Shafiqur Rahman said that in the past seven months since coming to power, various state institutions have been damaged. The path that the previous autocratic government walked, the current government is also following. In such a situation, the opposition party cannot remain silent.
Highlighting the role of Jamaat's members of parliament, the politician said that despite various manipulations and irregularities, the people gave them the seats, and the 89 members of parliament elected to those seats will work on behalf of the country's 180 million people. The opposition party will play a responsible role in protecting the interests of the people and fulfilling their expectations.

Claiming that the opposition party has been tempted in various ways, the Jamaat Amir said they have not bowed to any greed or temptation. If anyone betrays the nation, the opposition party will move forward with a firm stance to achieve its goal. He expressed the determination to take the 2024 mass uprising as a lesson and inspiration and to continue fighting against new fascist tendencies.

The meeting was presided over by AB Party Chairman Mojibur Rahman Monju and conducted by the party's Joint General Secretary Barrister Zubair Ahmed Bhuiyan. Monju said, "The nation has grown tired of hearing the government's assurances of implementing the July Charter letter by letter. We never imagined the government would retreat from its promise so quickly."

The AB Party chairman said BNP itself has claimed that 848 of its workers were martyred in July. Out of accountability to the blood and lives of the martyrs, the government should implement the July Charter.

"Sheikh Hasina suffered the consequences of failing to keep her promise to the nation; BNP should not make that mistake either," added the top leader of the AB Party.

Mojibur Rahman noted that BNP's 31-point demand is consistent with the reform proposals of the July Charter. He said the July Charter contains 84 reform proposals and seven pledges, many of which are consistent with BNP's announced 31 points. Yet after coming to power, BNP is behaving as if the July Charter was imposed on them.

In his speech as a special guest, Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Chairman Dr. Colonel (retd.) Oli Ahmad Bir Bikram said the government must understand what the people want. The Prime Minister has repeatedly promised to implement the July Charter letter by letter. Keeping promises is the moral responsibility of political leadership. Distributing various cards before the election creates fears of influencing the election, yet the Election Commission is not playing an effective role in this matter.

Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis Amir Mamunul Haque said the July Charter is one of the most important political documents in Bangladesh's history and a roadmap for repairing the state. It was the failure to reform the state that led students and the public to come forward in the mass uprising.

The top leader of Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis alleged that BNP has taken a dual stance on the July Charter and the referendum verdict. He said BNP has taken a dual stance on the July Charter and the referendum verdict. While it accepts the result of government formation, it is ignoring the referendum verdict.

"The July Charter must be implemented; otherwise, the crisis over constitutional reform will deepen further," warned the top leader of the opposition alliance.

National Citizen Party (NCP) Southern Region Chief Organizer and MP Hasnat Abdullah alleged that BNP has betrayed the nation over the July Charter and violated multiple clauses of the charter. According to him, the demand for forming a reform council was to ensure the continuity of reforms and to implement the referendum verdict.

According to the young politician, moving forward without the July Charter is like getting into a vehicle without fitness.

"The government is pushing the state toward commercial interests instead of public welfare. If the state is run ignoring the fundamental spirit of the July Charter, a new political crisis will emerge," warned the young leader who was at the forefront of the July mass uprising.