Jamaat Ameer
‘Interim Government Did Not Inform Us About US Agreement’
Photo: Agamir Somoy
Opposition leader and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has said that the interim government did not communicate with his party regarding any agreement with the United States.
“No one from the interim government contacted us on the issue of an agreement with the United States. No discussion took place. I can say with responsibility that we were not informed about it,” he told journalists on Friday afternoon while speaking ahead of a citizens’ meeting at the Rangpur Shilpakala Academy auditorium.
The Jamaat ameer also alleged that the government has disregarded the public mandate in favor of a referendum. He said the party would not allow that verdict to be ignored and would continue its struggle both inside and outside parliament to ensure its implementation.
He further claimed that the current government has ignored the referendum demand while also changing the central bank governor and appointing controversial individuals in key positions. He questioned why politically affiliated people were being placed in important roles despite public rejection in elections in several areas.
Calling the situation “a mockery with the people,” he said party-loyal individuals were being appointed as vice-chancellors, pro-vice-chancellors, and provosts in universities, which he described as institutions of knowledge. He added that the authorities had no answers to these issues and believed their plan was final. He warned that previous governments had also made long-term plans that collapsed within days.
On local government elections, he said Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami is an election-oriented party and would participate in all elections. However, he expressed concern over the fairness of polls, citing the situation in two recent by-elections.
Regarding the Teesta master plan, he welcomed the government’s decision to construct the Padma Barrage but said it must not come at the cost of the Teesta project. He insisted that the Teesta issue must be addressed and that the master plan must be implemented.
Condemning alleged persecution of Muslims in West Bengal, he said no constitution or religion allows attacks based on religious identity. “We will stand against those who oppress humanity,” he added.
The citizens’ meeting was chaired by Rangpur Metropolitan Jamaat Amir ATM Azam Khan. Jamaat Nayeb-e-Amir ATM Azharul Islam, Assistant Secretary General Maulana Abdul Halim, and Central Executive Committee member and Rangpur-3 MP Mahbubar Rahman Belal also spoke at the event.
At the end of the program, ATM Azam Khan was announced as the party’s candidate for the Rangpur City Corporation election.
Earlier in the morning, Dr. Shafiqur Rahman also attended a divisional conference at Model College auditorium in Rangpur city with upazila and thana-level leaders from the Rangpur-Dinajpur region.
