Vote for ‘Scales’ to free country from extortion: Jamaat Ameer

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman has called on voters to cast their votes in favour of the party’s symbol ‘Scales’ to fulfill public aspirations, realise the “July vision” and free businesspeople from extortion.

Addressing an election rally at the Jashore Eidgah ground on Tuesday (27 January) morning, Dr Rahman said that if Jamaat-e-Islami came to power, Jashore would be upgraded to a city corporation.

Referring to the upcoming referendum, the Jamaat chief claimed that some quarters were privately unhappy with the process. He said that if a ‘Yes’ vote prevailed, party-backed extortion would no longer thrive, although many were reluctant to say so openly.

“Eighteen crore people support the referendum,” he said, urging voters to cast a ‘Yes’ vote in the first round of polling on 12 February. “If the ‘Yes’ vote is defeated, Bangladesh will lose. If the ‘Yes’ vote wins, Bangladesh will win. If ‘Yes’ loses, there will be no benefit in forming a government.”

Pointing to the BNP, Dr Rahman alleged that a party which spoke of distributing family cards to women was also involved in harassing them. “Mothers and sisters will not be safe in their hands,” he said.

He further said Jamaat would not tolerate harassment or eve-teasing of women during election campaigning. If any party violated the electoral code of conduct, he urged people to inform the Election Commission.

However, he warned that if such incidents continued, resistance would be mounted wherever women were harassed.

Addressing the Election Commission, Dr Rahman said it must carry out its duties on behalf of the people, not in favour of any political party.