BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has said that Jamaat-e-Islami could not have participated in politics in independent Bangladesh without the late President Ziaur Rahman and that the party would not have had the chance to serve as ministers without former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia.

“If Shaheed Ziaur Rahman had not been there, Jamaat would not have had the opportunity to do politics in this country. And if Khaleda Zia were not there, you would never have tasted ministership,” he said.

He made the remarks while speaking at a public rally held at the central Eidgah ground in Kurigram on Monday.

Rizvi also addressed Jamaat leaders and criticised their stance on women’s role in politics. He added that Jamaat leaders now claim women can become lawmakers and participate in politics but cannot rise to the top leadership positions. “They say women cannot become party chiefs or heads of state,” he said.

Questioning the logic behind such claims, Rizvi said, “Is this a matter of protecting women’s rights? Why can’t a woman become the head of a party? The party with which you aligned and tasted ministership is BNP. Its chairperson was a woman. The mindset you hide inside cannot be imagined.”

He further alleged that Jamaat would deprive women of power if it came to power, saying, “If they come to power, women will not have authority. They will not be able to hold good positions in workplaces or politics. Their statements prove this.”

The BNP leader also spoke about alleged persecution of the BNP and its leader, claiming that Khaleda Zia was mistreated in prison, denied proper medical treatment, and poisoned through her food.

He urged voters to support the BNP’s election symbol, the ‘Sheaf of paddy’, stating that a victory would serve as a protest against the injustices of deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina.

“If we can secure a BNP victory, it will send a strong message against Sheikh Hasina’s oppression. This election carries immense significance, and we must achieve this by voting for the Sheaf of Paddy,” he said.

Kurigram-2 BNP candidate Sohel Hossain Kaykobad also spoke at the rally, pledging his dedication to serving the people if elected.

The rally was attended by district BNP convener Mostafizur Rahman, senior joint convener Shafiqul Islam Babu, Hasibur Rahman Hasib, and other party leaders.

Sun News/ra