Some support reform publicly but oppose it behind closed doors: Taher

Jamaat-e-Islami Nayeb-e-Ameer Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher has criticized what he called the “double standards” of certain political parties regarding state reform, saying that while many publicly endorse reform, their behavior in private meetings suggests otherwise.

“Everyone says they support reform. But once we sit in meetings, some seem to act like they don’t,” said Taher, speaking at the party’s national rally at Suhrawardy Udyan in Dhaka on Saturday. 

“What’s the problem? Reform benefits all. So those who don’t want it must have hidden agendas,” he said.

Taher called for a shift to proportional representation (PR) in elections, arguing that the current system enables vote-buying and election rigging. “In the PR system, you can’t capture polling centers or buy votes with money—so the usual agendas can’t be fulfilled,” he said. “Opposing transparent elections shows a lack of commitment to building a new Bangladesh.”

Addressing skepticism around the legal basis of reforms, Taher questioned the confidence of critics. “Some say: ‘How will reforms be legally established?’—then add, ‘In the next parliament.’ So are you assuming you’ll win that parliament? Or capture it?” he asked.

“Jamaat-e-Islami wants the people to win the next election. Those who the people vote for should win—those who stand for Bangladesh, those who oppose extortion, those who uphold good governance.”

Taher also claimed that the Awami League, ousted from power by what he termed a popular uprising, has become irrelevant in today’s political landscape. “I won’t go into what the Awami League has done—it’s a public case. They have no future in this country anymore,” he said.

Reaffirming Jamaat’s vision, Taher concluded, “We want a new Bangladesh. Those who want to rule this country using old tactics—people will not give them that chance again.”