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Shafiqur further said that if the “yes” in the referendum is defeated, Bangladesh will be defeated. “‘Yes’ means freedom, ‘no’ means slavery. Some parties cannot openly speak in favour of the ‘yes’ vote. They speak cautiously and secretly. If you want the ‘no’ vote, say it openly.”

He also said, “The martyrs of 2024 have left their bodies on our shoulders and their blood in our hands. We cannot betray their bodies and blood.”

The Jamaat chief added that Jamaat does not want power for itself; it wants power for the people. “Jamaat’s victory lies in the victory of 18 crore people. Power is not a matter of desire; it is a burden of responsibility…. If Jamaat candidates are elected, they will be bound to present their asset statements before the people every year.”

Addressing women, he said, “Security and dignity in the home, workplace and public movement will be ensured. They will be partners in all work based on justice. Everyone will be given their due rights.”

About minorities, he said, “Bangladesh is a garden. We will decorate this garden called Bangladesh with flowers of all kinds. There will be no discrimination based on religion. Only patriotism and commitment to the country will be considered.”

Shafiqur arrived at Gopalkhila High School field in Sherpur’s Sreebardi upazila yesterday around 11:00am by helicopter from Dhaka.

Later, he visited Gopalkhila, the village home of slain Jamaat leader Rezaul Karim, where he offered prayers at the grave and expressed condolences to the bereaved family.

Ahead of his arrival, local leaders and activists began gathering at Shaheed Darog Ali Municipal Park from the morning, carrying placards, banners and festoons. They chanted various slogans as the park and the adjacent municipal Eidgah ground were packed to capacity.

Presided over by Sherpur district Jamaat Ameer Hafizur Rahman, the election rally was also addressed by former Sherpur district Jamaat ameer Shahadat Hossain, DUCSU GS SM Farhad, Jamaat leader Hafez Abdul Baten, Sherpur district NCP Chief Coordinator Mohammad Likhon Mia, Jamaat candidates for Sherpur-1 and Sherpur-2 Rashedul Islam and Golam Kibria.

Addressing the rally, Shafiqur expressed concerns over the local law and order situation.

Mentioning that Jamaat leader Rezaul was beaten to death in the presence of law enforcers during a meeting convened by the administration on Thursday, he voiced his frustration that no arrests had been made yet.

Without naming any party, he said those who have removed over 200 people from their own ranks are no strangers to playing with people’s lives and dignity. “Those involved in such acts would get what they deserve in due course.”

“Do not consider us weak. We are civilised people and want to live in a civilised manner. But if we stand up, there will be no place to run,” he said.

Highlighting the long-standing demands for Sherpur’s development, he pledged to establish a medical college hospital, an agricultural university, a railway line to improve connectivity, and a vegetable EPZ in the agricultural sector.

After the rally ended around 1:30pm, he left Sherpur by helicopter for Jamalpur.

Following the rally there, Shafiqur returned to Dhaka and conducted door-to-door campaigning in his constituency -- Dhaka-15.

Addressing a rally in Kafrul’s Ibrahimpur area later, he said that if a “certain group” comes to power, the country will not survive.

“You can already see what this group is doing now. If the responsibility of running the country is handed to them, they will erase its very existence. They will bite, grab, and tear apart this land of 56,000 square miles and its 180 million people once again. The country cannot be entrusted to them. It is not safe.”

(Our Jamalpur correspondent contributed to the report)