Coming down heavily on Jamaat-e-Islami, Islami Andolan Bangladesh (IAB) Ameer Syed Muhammad Rezaul Karim yesterday said Jamaat plans to hold “secret meetings” with the US and India to implement “their own versions of justice”.

He made the remarks while addressing an election rally in Lakshmipur, where he spoke about the policies and principles of BNP and Jamaat.

Rezaul, who is also the pir of Charmonai, said, “Jamaat says it wants to establish justice. What kind of justice? It will establish justice after holding secret meetings with America and India.

“We have observed Indian justice, we have observed American justice. We, the people of Bangladesh, don’t want to see that justice.”

Rezaul further said, “If they [BNP-Jamaat] come to power, based on what policies and principles will they run the country? Under the policies in which thousands of mothers were left bereaved, the country’s money was smuggled abroad to build Begumpura, people disappeared or were killed after taking to the streets.

“They are trying to run the country on those same principles. We cannot allow that to happen.”

He said the Jamaat-led electoral alliance has clearly stated that it would not run the country according to Sharia law and would instead govern under the existing system if voted to power. He also cited Jamaat candidate Krishna Nandi as saying that Jamaat is not an Islamic party.

An equity-based state has not been established under the existing system for 54 years, the Charmonai Pir said. “How will it [Jamaat] implement an equity-based state under the same system?” he questioned.

Urging voters to cast their ballots for the hand fan symbol on February 12, he asked the public to give Islami Andolan an opportunity to run the country in line with Islamic principles, pledging peace, good governance, people’s rightful dues, and elimination of corruption.

[Our Noakhali correspondent contributed to this report]