Jamaat conspiring to sabotage election at the last moment: Milon

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami is conspiring to sabotage the upcoming parliamentary election scheduled for Thursday, February 12, BNP leader Advocate Shafiqul Haque Milon has alleged.

Milon, joint secretary for relief and rehabilitation of the BNP national executive committee, former general secretary of Rajshahi Metropolitan BNP and the party’s sheaf-of-paddy candidate from the Paba–Mohanpur constituency, made the allegation while speaking to journalists at around 11:30am on Monday.

He said Jamaat has been carrying out various forms of propaganda, with reports emerging from different areas that fake ballot papers and seals have been prepared. He also alleged that in some places voter bank account numbers are being collected, with such incidents reportedly occurring in Naohata of Rajshahi. He further claimed that thousands of burqas have been produced as part of the plot. These activities, he said, are creating public suspicion. Knowing that defeat is inevitable, Jamaat is resorting to such conspiracies, but the people will not accept this and will resist firmly.

Milon said the election has generated widespread enthusiasm among elderly voters, young men and women and even children. Referring to programmes announced by BNP chairperson Tarique Rahman in 2023, he said that if elected he would introduce agriculture cards and family cards, ensure free healthcare, arrange employment-oriented education, take effective steps to reduce unemployment, establish a water treatment plant and initiate the setting up of a PC EPZ.

He said most roads in Paba and Mohanpur upazilas are in poor condition and pledged that, if elected, they would be repaired promptly and new roads constructed. He also promised government recognition for officials and staff of religious institutions, waiver of interest on agricultural loans up to Tk 10,000, and simplification of plot allocation processes to make BSCIC-2 more employment-oriented.

Milon alleged that Jamaat’s parliamentary candidate served as chairman of Hargaram Union for 28 years, during which crores of taka were received as government grants without any visible development. He claimed that this could be verified by visiting the area. He further said Jamaat is making grand claims and intimidating people in different places despite having no significant public support.

He said BNP has made notable contributions to the country’s development over 54 years of independence, which is why people trust the party. He also urged religious scholars to act responsibly, alleging that some individuals are misleading people by misusing religion. Addressing Jamaat, he said the party has deceived people repeatedly in the past and would not be able to play any positive role in the future, calling on people to stay away from it.