Administration will run, arrest at our command: Jamaat leader Shahjahan

Shahjahan Chowdhury, member of Jamaat-e-Islami’s Central Executive Council and former MP, said, “The opportunity Jamaat-e-Islami has today will not come again. Forget corrupt money—bags of money will enter the country from the neighbouring country Hindustan. Weapons will also enter. If our Ameer were here, I would say elections will not be won only by people. I won’t say nationally, but in every constituency, whoever is in the administration must be brought under our authority. They must rise at our command, sit at our command, arrest at our command, file cases at our command.”

He made these remarks on Saturday evening at a gathering of Jamaat’s election coordinators of Chattogram, held at the GEC Convention Centre in Chattogram city. Jamaat Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman was present as chief guest.

Drawing the attention of a central leader during his speech, Shahjahan Chowdhury said, “In every constituency, primary-school teachers must speak for the balance-scale symbol. All teachers of higher secondary schools must speak for the balance-scale. The police must walk behind you. The OC will learn your schedule every morning and will give you protocol.”

Shahjahan Chowdhury further said, “Forgive me, elections are not only about organisation. Organisation is essential and the fundamental base. The organisation is the only bearer and carrier. But if you cannot give space to the people, winning elections becomes difficult. The previous fascist government ruled the country only with Awami League people. They became detached from the public. That is why Awami League leaders had to resign and flee the country during the mass movement.”

He continued, “In my southern district I have helped many. At that time my name as a candidate had not even been announced. Because of relations with advisors, Tk 100 crore in Lohagara and Tk 100 crore in Satkania were arranged, and Tk 10 crore each was allocated to implement projects in Lohagara and Satkania. You must understand people’s needs, problems, and demands. In my area, conferences were held with decoration workers. In many areas they were not held. We do not even consider them voters. Conferences must be held with everyone.”