Jamaat to ensure justice for Sayeedi if elected: Shafiqur

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman has said that if the party comes to power following the 13th National Parliamentary Election scheduled for 12 February, it will ensure a trial over the killing of the party’s former nayeb-e-ameer and former lawmaker late Delwar Hossain Sayeedi.

He made the remarks while addressing an election rally at Pirojpur Government High School ground on Friday.

Shafiqur said, “A single vote and a single seat are extremely valuable to ensure justice in this killing.”

He added that if Jamaat assumes power, it will also ensure trials for all killings, including those during the July uprising, as well as the deaths of Osman Hadi, Abrar Fahad, and Mir Mugdho.

Calling on voters, he urged people to vote for and ensure the victory of candidates nominated by the Jamaat-led Islamic alliance in the upcoming election.

The Jamaat ameer said past practices of casting votes on behalf of others would no longer be allowed.

“In the next election, the voter will cast his or her own vote. If anyone attempts vote rigging or election engineering, Jamaat will not remain silent, no matter how powerful they are,” he warned.

He also called on party leaders and activists to begin guarding polling centres to ensure fair voting.

Shafiqur claimed that Tk28 lakh crore was siphoned off from the country during the Awami League’s 15 and a half years in power, and said Jamaat needs to be voted into power to recover the money and ensure balanced development.

He alleged that previous elections failed to reflect the aspirations of the people, making the 12 February election crucial for Bangladesh.

According to him, the election would pave the way for fulfilling the dreams of people from all walks of life, regardless of party affiliation, religion, or ethnicity, and ensure employment based on merit.

Criticising the ruling party, he said the Awami League had promised rice at Tk10 per kilogramme, but people never received it, while another party is now talking about ration cards.

“These are all deceptions,” he said. He also alleged that despite threats and humiliation faced by women in different parts of the country, the BNP failed to take action.

Shafiqur said the upcoming election would be a vote in favour of justice and fairness, where everyone—from an ordinary citizen to the president or prime minister—would be treated equally before the law.

The rally was presided over by Pirojpur district Jamaat Ameer Tofazzal Hossain Farid.

Among others present were Jamaat-nominated candidates Masud Sayeedi (Pirojpur-1) and Shamim Sayeedi (Pirojpur-2), and NCP-nominated candidate Shamim Hamidi for Pirojpur-3 constituency.