Jamaat calls on BNP for dialogue on 'national issues'
“No matter how much they [BNP] provoke us, we will never speak or fight against them,” Jamaat-e-Islami Nayeb-e-Ameer Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher says
Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Nayeb-e-Ameer Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher today (2 November) called on the BNP to sit for dialogue on national issues.
"Let's sit together and talk about all national issues for the sake of the country. Let's discuss how we can build a truly prosperous Bangladesh together. Then the nation will find peace," he said while speaking at a press conference at Al-Falah Auditorium in the capital's Moghbazar area.
Accusing BNP leaders of making contradictory statements by adopting the Awami League's narrative, the Jamaat leader said, "When BNP fights against the AL, it is truly the BNP. But when it competes with us, it fights using its [AL] narrative. This is political dishonesty."
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He also said, "Mirza Fakhrul has accused us of lying. We want to know where we have lied. Another BNP leader is talking about banning Jamaat. Then how did they form a government in 1991 with our support?"
Taher further said, "Although BNP is opposing the upcoming referendum, 80% of the votes will go in favour of 'Yes', which will be reflected in the national election. That will give everyone a sense of Jamaat's vote base."
"However, if BNP supports the 'Yes' side, it will be a smart strategy because then people will not be able to assess Jamaat's actual vote strength," he added.
Speaking about fielding candidates in all 300 constituencies, Taher said Jamaat is making preparations to contest the upcoming national election in every seat after fulfilling its demands.
He noted that despite Jamaat consistently mentioning February as the likely election period, some BNP leaders are still trying to blame the party for delaying the polls. "No matter how much they [BNP] provoke us, we will never speak or fight against them."
