Voting for extremists may result in losing voting rights in future: Bobby Hajjaj

BNP candidate for Dhaka-13, Bobby Hajjaj said that voters, who are supporting extremist parties could put their future voting rights at risk.

He made the remarks at an interaction meeting on Zakir Hossain Road in the capital's Mohammadpur , on Sunday (February 1).

Hajjaj said the country is facing a crisis, with only two major political forces in the upcoming election: the liberal democratic force led by BNP and the far-right extremist bloc led by Jamaat-e-Islami. “If you bring the extremist forces to power, you may lose your right to vote in the future,” he said.

Targeting joint candidate Mamunul Haque, Hajjaj accused him of attempting to curtail the voting rights of Hindu and other minority communities. He also condemned recent offensive remarks against women by the allied bloc’s leader, Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, noting that female students have protested at Dhaka University, Jahangirnagar University, and other campuses.

Hajjaj emphasised that those who disrespect women should not hold state responsibility. He urged voters to protect Bangladesh’s liberal and democratic values, highlighting the country’s history from the 1971 Liberation War to the 2024 people’s uprising.

Promising active engagement if elected, Hajjaj said monthly open meetings will be held in every ward, involving all elected representatives and officials from government services, including police, WASA, electricity, and the city corporation.

On civic issues, he pledged to keep footpaths and streets accessible to pedestrians, with phased relocation of existing businesses and the creation of designated market streets at certain times or days.

“Democracy is not just voting once every five years; it is holding the government accountable at all times,” Hajjaj added.