Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami amir Dr Shafiqur Rahman on Monday alleged that successive governments over the past 54 years have harmed the country whenever they came to power.
He made the remarks while addressing an election rally at Abrar Fahad Stadium in Kushtia as the chief guest.
He noted that despite a political shift after more than 15 years, law enforcement agencies were largely absent, while the army struggled to maintain stability under challenging circumstances.
Shafiqur said that without changes in political outlook and leadership character, meaningful reform would remain unlikely.
He also claimed that Jamaat-e-Islami has faced prolonged political repression, including killings of party leaders, executions, repeated imprisonment of activists, closure of party offices, demolition of homes, cancellation of party registration, and an eventual ban imposed by what he described as an illegitimate government.
Turning to local concerns, Shafiqur highlighted environmental degradation and river erosion in Kushtia, particularly the Padma and Gorai rivers.
He alleged corruption in river dredging projects, stating that although funds are allocated annually, dredging often fails to take place, leading to flooding and displacement.
The Jamaat amir further alleged that illegal tolls are being collected from rice-laden trucks in Kushtia, one of the country’s largest rice trading hubs, causing hardship for transport owners and traders.
Shafiqur emphasised that Jamaat-e-Islami does not engage in politics for personal or partisan gain, but aims to work toward improving the welfare of impoverished and marginalised communities.
The election rally began in the morning, with party leaders and activists gathering from early hours. Shafiqur arrived around noon after his journey was delayed by fog. Leaders of the 11-party alliance, along with Jamaat-e-Islami candidates from various Kushtia constituencies and local party leaders, attended the event.
Al-Mamun Sagar/MHK/NMA