"How will voters in remaining 50 seats go to heaven?"

BNP-nominated candidate for Cumilla-11 (Chauddagram) and Chauddagram Upazila BNP president Kamrul Huda on Sunday (January 25) criticised Jamaat-e-Islami over its election campaign narrative, questioning claims that voting for the party would guarantee entry to heaven.

Speaking at an election rally at HJ Government Pilot High School ground in Chauddagram around 9:00pm, Kamrul Huda said Jamaat had fielded candidates in 250 constituencies, leaving 50 without nominees. “If voting for their symbol ensures heaven, how will those in the remaining 50 seats go there?” he said.

The rally was attended by BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman as the chief guest, who was seen listening attentively to the speech.

Kamrul Huda said Chauddagram has long been a stronghold of BNP activists and supporters.

Referring to his rival, Jamaat candidate and party Naib-e-Ameer Dr Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher, he recalled that Taher had won the 2001 parliamentary election as a four-party alliance candidate.

He alleged that during that period, BNP leaders and activists in the area were subjected to repression.

Calling for unity ahead of the February 12 election, the BNP candidate urged party leaders and workers to work together to ensure victory for the party’s sheaf of paddy symbol.

Senior BNP leaders, including Cumilla divisional joint organising secretary Mustaq Mia and Cumilla South District BNP president Zakaria Taher Sumon, were also present at the rally.