Charmonai Pir and Islami Andolan Bangladesh (IAB) Ameer Syed Muhammad Rezaul Karim today said they had sought to build unity in favour of Islamist values with great hope, but were compelled to take a separate political path in the interest of Islam after observing that Jamaat-e-Islami was deviating from its commitment to implementing Islamic principles and ideology.

“However, by the grace of Allah, we are not alone. People from all walks of life and the alem-ulemas are with us,” he said at an election rally held in support of IAB-nominated candidates in Mymensingh-6 and Mymensingh-4 constituencies, at Krishnachura Square in Mymensingh city.

Rezaul further said BNP and Jamaat had governed the country in the past but failed to meet people’s expectations. “Instead, the country became a champion in corruption.”

“If, by the grace of Allah, the people entrust us with the responsibility of running the state, corruption will be uprooted, In sha Allah. We will build a Bangladesh that reflects the people’s aspirations,” he said.

Rezaul said many candidates make various promises of development, but no one speaks about the “development of principles.”

“If members of the parliament formulate proper policies and hold the executive accountable for implementing those policies, development will naturally reach all citizens of the country,” he said.

He said the nation has heard many claims of development over the past 54 years, but behind those so-called developments, there was a “festival of corruption.”

“Killings, enforced disappearances and money laundering have been pushing the country backwards day by day. Therefore, emphasis must be placed on the structural development of the state and improvement of policies,” he added.

He said Islami Andolan Bangladesh is working not merely for a change of leaders, but for a change of policies.

The party’s Central Training Secretary Nurul Karim Akram and Central Joint Vice-President Hossain Ahmed, among others, were present at the rally.