Jamaat wants Islamic state, but people don't want it: Mirza Fakhrul

Jamaat-e-Islami engages in politics with the aim of establishing a Sharia-based Islamic state, but the people of Bangladesh do not want such a system, Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister and BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has said.

He made the remarks as the chief guest at an extended meeting of the district BNP at the Thakurgaon district BNP office on Friday afternoon, July 3.

He said Jamaat-e-Islami is not a democratic political party; it is a 'regimented' party with a specific agenda.

"Jamaat has a specific goal and ideology. They do politics to establish a Sharia-based Islamic state. But the people of Bangladesh do not want such a state; they believe in liberal politics," he said.

Responding to Jamaat's criticism of the July Charter, the BNP secretary general said every page of the charter clearly mentions which issues political parties agreed on and where differences remain. It also states that the election-winning party will implement them according to the people's mandate.

He said the government is working according to the promises made in the election manifesto, as per the mandate given by the people. All issues of the July Charter will also be implemented in phases.

On constitutional reform, Fakhrul said Jamaat had the opportunity to give their opinion by participating in the constitutional amendment committee formed in parliament. But instead of that path, they chose to take to the streets with the 11-party alliance.

He claimed Jamaat's programmes do not have significant public support.

Fakhrul said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is implementing the promises made during the election, and the government is working to meet people's expectations.

He said BNP has never been defeated in any election so far. "Inshallah, BNP will not be defeated in the future either."

The extended meeting was attended by Thakurgaon district BNP President Mirza Faisal Amin, General Secretary Paygam Ali, and leaders of district and associate bodies. The meeting also discussed organisational activities, the current political situation and various government programmes.