STAFF CORRESPONDENT

Pointing at Jamaat-e-Islami, BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman said members of the gupto (covert group) have now emerged in Bangladesh as “new oppressors”.

“Over the past few days, we have seen some newspaper reports. We have seen that those who have appeared as new oppressors, whom the people of Bangladesh know as gupto, have been printing fake seals in different places,” he said while addressing an election rally in Barishal yesterday.

“We are also hearing in different ways that at printing presses known to them, they are printing ballot papers. Not only that, they are collecting NID numbers and bKash numbers,” he said, calling on people to remain alert so that no one can “hijack people’s votes” on February 12.

Around noon, he arrived at Barishal Stadium by helicopter and then travelled by car to the rally venue at Bell’s Park ground in Barishal city.

After over two decades, the Tarique’s visit drew leaders and activists from different areas. They started gathering at the venue since early morning.

Hinting at Jamaat, Tarique said, “How can those who start the voting process with unethical acts establish the rule of honest people? They cannot.”

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