Amir of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Shafiqur Rahman on Monday said that the struggle would continue to build a corruption-free society, establish justice and economic freedom and ensure a truly independent state.

‘We do not seek the victory of eight parties, we seek the victory of 18 crore people,’ he said while addressing the Khulna divisional rally of Jamaat-led eight-party at the Shibbari Mor in Khulna.

Islami Andolan Bangladesh amir, Mufti Syed Muhammad Rezaul Karim, presided over the rally.

Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis amir Mamunul Haque, senior nayeb-e-amir Sakhawat Hossain, Nizam-e-Islam Party secretary general Musa bin Izhar, Bangladesh Khelafat Andolan secretary general Yusuf Sadeq Hokkani, Jagpa vice-president Rashed Pradhan, BDP chairman Anwarul Islam Chan, and senior leaders of Jamaat-e-Islami and Islami Andolan addressed the rally as special guests.

Shafiqur Rahman alleged that after the August 5 mass uprising, a section of people had been trying to exert influence through extortion and disorder.

He claimed that no Islamist party had been involved in such activities.

Presiding over the event, Rezaul Karim said that his party was fully prepared for the elections, accusing opponents of plotting ahead of the upcoming February polls as they had ‘lost ground beneath their feet’.

Mamunul Haque called for a national referendum to give the July charter a final legal basis and prayed for the recovery of BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia.

Other speakers criticised the previous government, demanded reforms, called for a level playing field, and stressed that future governance must reflect Islamic principles.

Some also demanded the banning of Awami League and Jatiya Party, saying that the nation rejected any form of foreign influence.