No credible poll possible without major reforms: Dr Shafiqur

Speaking to reporters at Saidpur Airport in Nilphamari before attending a public rally in Rangpur, he said, “Mob culture has been prevailing in the country for a long time, but no Jamaat activist is involved in such violence. Since 1972, we have consistently opposed mob politics.”

Referring to the recent violence in Patgram, Lalmonirhat, Dr Shafiqur said, “Under the current circumstances, a neutral election is impossible. We must first create an environment for credible elections, and that requires fundamental reforms.”

Urging political parties to control their activists to prevent violence, he added, “Political leaders must take responsibility for their own activists. Only then can the state play its role in maintaining order.”

Friday’s rally marked the first major Jamaat gathering in Rangpur in nearly 17 years. Thousands of leaders and supporters from Rangpur and neighbouring districts joined the rally at Rangpur Zilla School ground, with the crowd spilling over onto adjacent streets. The rally echoed with slogans demanding the implementation of Islamic law and governance by honest leaders.

During the rally, Jamaat’s Rangpur-Dinajpur regional director and assistant secretary general Maulana Abdul Halim announced party candidates for all 33 parliamentary seats in Rangpur division, coveringRangpur, Kurigram, Gaibandha, Panchagarh, Dinajpur, Thakurgaon, Nilphamari, and Lalmonirhat districts.

Supporters travelled to Rangpur by rickshaw, auto-rickshaw, and trucks since morning to join the event.

Security was heightened across the city in anticipation of the rally, which was organised by Jamaat’s Rangpur metropolitan and district units to press for four key demands, including justice for the July-August uprising killings and reforms before the next national elections.

Jamaat leaders said the rally aimed to mobilise public support in the spirit of the July Uprising and initiate a broader movement for a ‘new Bangladesh.’

Thirty-three candidates were formally introduced at the event.