Rashed alleges Jamaat seeks India’s support to gain power

“Earlier, the Awami League used to appease India to remain in power. Now Jamaat is following the same path,” he told journalists after exchanging greetings with local people following Jumma prayers at the Old DC Court Jame Mosque in Jhenaidah.

Claiming that Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar had held secret meetings with Indian intelligence officials, Rashed said government intelligence agencies and investigative journalists also had information about the alleged contacts.

He challenged Jamaat to deny the allegations, saying the party should accept his challenge if no such meetings had taken place.

“Jamaat speaks against India throughout the day but meets Indian intelligence officials at night. This cannot be called anti-hegemonic politics,” he said.

Commenting on the opposition’s divisional long march from Dhaka towards Khulna, Rashed said the procession would enter Khulna through Gopalganj and end in Kushtia after passing through Jashore and Jhenaidah.

He urged Jamaat to hold a rally there to demonstrate its political courage.

On the Thakurgaon by-election, Rashed claimed Jamaat’s campaign promising voters a “ticket to heaven” had lost its appeal. He alleged that the party had misled voters during the national election with religious promises.

“The people of Thakurgaon have shown a red card to Jamaat’s misleading campaign,” he said.

Earlier, Rashed offered Jumma prayers at the mosque and exchanged greetings with worshippers and local people.

District BNP President MA Majid, General Secretary Zahiduzzaman Mona, former Islami University Chhatra Dal convener Sahed Ahmed, and leaders and activists of BNP and its associate organisations were present.�"BSS