AL has no right to do politics: Dr Shafiq 

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer and Leader of the Opposition in Parliament Dr Shafiqur Rahman has said the Awami League has no right to engage in politics in Bangladesh, arguing that political parties must uphold human values, justice and public welfare.

He made the remarks on Tuesday at a discussion with family members of those killed in the October 28, 2006 violence, held at the Institution of Diploma Engineers, Bangladesh (IDEB) auditorium in Kakrail, Dhaka.

“If politics means killing people, then they can come back. But if politics means serving people, building the country, ensuring justice and eliminating discrimination, the Awami League does not have the qualities required for it,” Dr Shafiq said.

“We want justice for these heinous killings. We do not want justice imposed on anyone,” he said.

Dr Shafiq alleged that cases filed over the killings were subsequently withdrawn and relevant documents went missing after the Awami League came to power. He vowed to pursue the matter until justice was delivered.

He also criticised the Awami League's record of leaving state power, claiming that the party had never departed office under normal circumstances. He warned that other political forces could face similar consequences if they followed the same path.

Referring to the referendum, Shafiqur said voters had supported political change rather than merely cosmetic amendments to the Constitution. According to him, people wanted a political system that served the country and its citizens and prevented any individual or party from establishing authoritarian rule.

He urged the government to pursue constitutional reforms to meet public expectations.

“We still urge the government to reconsider its position, reform the Constitution and fulfil the people's expectations,” he said.

Jamaat-e-Islami Nayeb-e-Ameer ATM Azharul Islam, Professor Mujibur Rahman, Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar and other senior party leaders also spoke at the meeting.

The remarks reflect Jamaat-e-Islami's position on the Awami League and accountability for the 2006 killings. The allegations concerning the handling of the cases were not independently established in the information provided for this report.

11-party alliance will remain united: Mamunul
Meanwhile, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis Ameer Mamunul Haque on Tuesday said the 11-party alliance remained united and its scope would expand rather than shrink, dismissing the possibility of being drawn into what he described as conspiracies against the coalition.