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In his speech, Shafiqur stressed the need for establishing justice in society alongside restoring equality. “Extortionists, land grabbers, case manipulators and the corrupt swoop on ordinary people like birds of prey.”

At one point, he called upon businesspeople to stand up against extortion, adding that the signs surrounding the election were not encouraging.

“Women are being harassed, people are being killed in attacks, offices are being set on fire, election campaigns are being obstructed, and attempts are being made to provoke clashes,” the Jamaat leader said.

He called on the government and the Election Commission to take appropriate steps to gain public trust.

Addressing rivals, he said they should respect others and practice the democracy they so loudly preach.

CORRUPTION

Since the start of the campaign, Jamaat leaders, including the party ameer, have repeatedly been saying that the BNP government of the past was riddled with graft and pointed out Bangladesh ranking top on global corruption indices at the time.

In this context, BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman, hinting at Jamaat, told a rally in Mymensingh, “My question is, from 2001 to 2006, two members of a party were also in the BNP government. If the BNP was so bad, why didn’t those two resign?”

Jamaat chief yesterday responded by saying, “We did not leave so that at least three ministries could be saved and protected from corruption.”

Earlier around 11:00am, the main election office of Shafiqur’s constituency, Dhaka-15, and a “multimedia bus” for Jamaat’s digital campaign were inaugurated in the Water Tank area of Mirpur-10.

At the event, the Jamaat ameer spoke about the death of Maulana Rezaul Karim, secretary of Jamaat’s Sreebardi upazila unit, who was killed in a clash between Jamaat and BNP activists in Jhenaigati, Sherpur.

When a reporter asked him about the incident, Shafiqur said, “It indicates intolerance. It indicates a lack of confidence in the people. It indicates an inability to tolerate others’ victory.”

He added that the incident raised questions about a level playing field during the election. “We will not allow anyone to trample on it.”

The Jamaat chief said their electoral fight was not for any party, individual or family, but for the welfare of 180 million people. “We don’t seek Jamaat’s victory alone, want the people’s collective victory.”

Shafiqur later joined rallies in Dhaka-14, Dhaka-16 and Dhaka-17.