Govt must revise gazette, hold referendum before polls: Jamaat's Porwar
The country’s next parliament will be free from terrorism and extortion and guided by the Quran, says Jamaat leader Mujibur Rahman
Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Professor Mia Golam Porwar has urged the government to revise the gazette and hold a referendum before the next national elections.
"A referendum must be held before the national election. The government decided to hold it on the same day on someone's poor advice," he said while speaking at a Rajshahi divisional rally organised by Jamaat and seven allied parties at the historic Madrasa Ground today (30 November).
Porwar further said, "There is still time to revise the gazette and change the date. The people want a referendum before the election."
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The Jamaat leader went on to say, "I don't want to put the government in a crisis. Otherwise, confusion will arise. People will vote yes in the referendum."
He claimed that a 'yes' vote in the referendum would represent public support for "a new anti-fascist state, against corruption and for good governance."
He also condemned what he described as a deterioration of the law-and-order situation and alleged attacks on women activists.
At the rally, Jamaat-e-Islami Senior Nayeb-e-Amir and former MP Professor Mujibur Rahman said the country's next parliament will be free from terrorism and extortion and guided by the Quran.
"We will resist extortionists. Those who extorted in the past will no longer get the chance. The future parliament will be guided by the Quran. The secretariat, parliament, and judiciary will all be run according to the Quran," he told the rally.
Rashed Pradhan, vice president and spokesperson of the Jatiya Ganatantrik Party (Jagpa), accused a rival group – referred to as the "extortionist party"– of tearing down their posters.
"They can tear our posters, but they cannot erase us from people's minds. The people will answer bullets with ballots," he said, adding that holding a referendum on election day had no precedent.
Ashraf Ali Akand, presidium member of the Islami Andolan Bangladesh, said the public want change and "no longer want to see extortionists," expressing hope that Islamic parties would come to power.
Abdul Majed Atahari, senior nayeb-e-ameer of Nizam-e-Islam Party, said their alliance will continue its movement until the referendum and July Charter are implemented.
"We have shed blood before; will shed more if needed. Elections will not be allowed before a referendum," he said, vowing to work toward establishing governance based on Islamic law.
