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BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman has called on voters to be wary of Jamaat-e-Islami, referring to it as a “secret organisation”.
He said, "The people of this secret organisation have emerged as new oppressors of the people of Bangladesh."
The BNP chief made these remarks at a party rally at the Bells Park grounds in Barishal city on Wednesday afternoon, bdnews24.com reports.
Referring to the Awami League era, he said: "After Aug 5, we had hoped that the tyranny that took away the people's right to vote and the right to speak, the way they (Awami League) would speak to the people, the way they humiliated the respected and esteemed personalities of Bangladesh, the way they belittled people - these practices would have stopped after they fled on Aug 5."
"But sadly, we note that this practice has not ended. A political party, which has a different identity, whom the people know by a different identity - what identity do the people know them by? They know them by a secret identity.”
Addressing the leaders and supporters at the rally, Tarique asked – “Do you know who they are? Do you know this secret group in Bangladeshi politics? Do you know them?”
The crowd shouted in response, “Jamaat.”
Tarique then said, “Dear brothers and sisters, a new oppressor has emerged in Bangladesh today.”
Explaining why he was calling them “oppressors”, the BNP chief highlighted the contributions of women to Bangladeshi society, culture and the economy, stating: “Today, with great sadness, with great disgust, we see that this new oppressor… the leader of these oppressors, said publicly two days ago… He used a very demeaning word for the women of Bangladesh.
“Any person or party that does not have the slightest respect for the mothers and sisters of our country, who do not have any reverence for the suffering of the mothers and sisters of our country – no matter what, Bangladesh cannot expect progress from them. We cannot expect any respectful and dignified behaviour from them.”
Stating that Bibi Khadija, the wife of the Prophet Muhammad (SM), was also a working woman, and that she was a business owner, Tarique said: “They say they engage in Islamic politics, but when the Prophet’s wife herself was a working woman, how can a political party and its head use such a demeaning word for all of the women of Bangladesh?”
Addressing Barishal voters, he said: “You must be cautious and vigilant against these insidious people. Those who do not know how to respect the people of the country, those who plan to fool the people after the 12th - you have to teach them a proper lesson.”
Tarique arrived in Barishal on board a helicopter from Dhaka at noon.
The BNP chief arrived at the historic Bells Park grounds in Barishal for his first rally in the city in 20 years, taking the stage to thunderous applause at 12:20pm.
Tarique’s visit to the city has sparked great excitement among the party’s leaders, activists, and supporters. They began streaming into the rally grounds from Barishal and its neighbouring districts at 10am. By 11:30am, the area was packed to the brim.
The crowd held placards displaying the BNP candidates of their constituencies as well as sheaves of paddy – the party’s symbol.
Party candidates contesting a total of 19 parliamentary seats in Barishal, Jhalakathi, Pirojpur, Patuakhali, Barguna, and Bhola are attending the campaign event organised by the Barishal metropolitan branch of the BNP.
The last time Tarique had been in Barishal was in May of 2005, when he attended a meeting with the party’s representatives at the union level.
Many party leaders, activists, and supporters see Tarique’s rally as a symbolic extension of the political legacy of former president Ziaur Rahman and former prime minister Khaleda Zia.