Jatiya Party Chairman and Rangpur 3 Sadar parliamentary candidate Golam Mohammad Quader on Sunday accused the interim government of attempting to establish hegemony in the country at the instigation of external forces, alleging that a deep conspiracy is underway to derail democracy and impose what he described as "slavery" in the name of freedom.
Speaking at an election rally in the Super Market area of Rangpur city on Sunday afternoon, GM Quader said the interim administration lacks public mandate and grassroots legitimacy.
"This interim government has no deep connection with the common people of the country. They were never in charge of running the country. But now they are trying to push the country on a certain path at the behest of some external force. What they call freedom, I call slavery. They are doing all this to establish slavery in a country. They talk about justice, but in reality it is nothing but extreme injustice," he said.
The Jatiya Party chief further alleged widespread abuse of legal process, claiming selective enforcement and politically motivated prosecutions.
"Today identified murderers are being released in the country, and innocent ordinary people are being sent to jail in false and harassing cases. Injustice and oppression are going on everywhere. A deep conspiracy is being hatched to destroy the country in the name of revolution. Our political struggle is against those involved in this conspiracy. The countrymen have to be ready now," he said.
Raising constitutional objections to the government's referendum initiative, GM Quader said general elections and referendums cannot legally be held on the same day and insisted that only elected members of parliament have the authority to decide on such matters.
"General elections and referendum cannot be held on the same day. Only elected members of parliament have the right to decide on the referendum. The referendum organised by the current government is completely illegal. One day in the future it will be proven to be a form of treason this is my belief," he said.
He further claimed that "a special group wants to turn the country into a communal terrorist and extremist state", urging voters to reject the referendum. "To save the country from this conspiracy we have to vote 'no' in the referendum. We are getting a very good response in mass communication. The position of our candidates is strong in every seat of Rangpur division," he added.
Expressing confidence in his party's electoral prospects, GM Quader said past results had been affected by injustice and repression but maintained that a fair process would produce a different outcome.
