Jamaat won't come to power in our lifetime: LDP Secretary General Redwan

It will take a hundred years for Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami to come to power in this country, Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Secretary General Redwan Ahmed said today (3 January).

"We will not see Jamaat-e-Islami, identified as an anti-independence party in this country, coming to power in our lifetime," he said while speaking at LDP workers' rally in Cumilla's Chandina upazila this afternoon.

"Jamaat ameer recently said the army and the Jamaat-e-Islami are the two biggest patriots in this country. It is shameful to hear this," he added.

The LPD leader further said, "There are hundreds of leaders in the BNP who participated in frontline battles during the Liberation War. I also participated in frontline battles risking my life. And those who took blood from our bodies, now claim to be great patriots.

"Don't they feel ashamed of saying such a thing?" he questioned.

Addressing Jamaat leaders, Redwan said, "You should keep your mouth shut. In the great Liberation War, you opposed the freedom fighters by taking a stand against independence. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman did not recognise Jamaat as a party. When multi-party democracy was introduced in this country, Ziaur Rahman gave you the opportunity to form a party."

He further said, "It is good that you are tidying up your party, but do not create any confusion by claiming to be patriots. If you want to compete with a 20-party alliance, it may be possible to compete by joining an alliance with a big political party. It is not possible to win by contesting alone."