Tarique Rahman Condemns Jamaat's 'Heaven Tickets' in Bangladesh Election Campaign
In a sharp critique aimed at Bangladesh's largest Islamist party, Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI), BNP chairman and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia's son, Tarique Rahman, has accused a "certain party" of attempting to mislead voters, particularly women, by offering "tickets to heaven" in exchange for their support in the upcoming parliamentary elections. Speaking at his inaugural poll rally in Sylhet on Thursday, Rahman issued a stern warning about conspiracies to disrupt the electoral process through rigging, highlighting the intensifying political climate in the country.
Veiled Attacks and Accusations of Deception
Tarique Rahman elaborated on his allegations, stating, "They are already cheating you. Now, think about how they will cheat you after the elections... They are not only deceiving people; they are making Muslims commit 'shirk' (the act of ascribing divinity or worship to others alongside Allah). 'Nauzubillah' (we seek refuge in Allah)." This thinly veiled attack on JeI, a former ally of the BNP, underscores the deep-seated tensions between the two parties as Bangladesh gears up for a contentious election season.
Historical Grievances and Security Concerns
In multiple public meetings held under heightened security, Rahman also criticized the "certain party" for its historical stance against the 1971 Liberation War. This criticism comes as political violence escalates across Bangladesh, with campaigning officially commencing on Thursday. The atmosphere is fraught with fear and uncertainty, as rival factions engage in verbal sparring and physical confrontations.
Counter-Allegations and Escalating Violence
Nahid Islam, convener of the JeI-aligned National Citizen Party, has retaliated by accusing "one particular party" of disseminating misleading information and fostering an environment of fear among the public. This exchange of barbs has been accompanied by a surge in violent incidents. In a troubling development, a leader from Tarique Rahman's party was critically injured after assailants opened fire on him in Dhaka's Keraniganj area on Thursday night.
Police reported that Mohammad Hasan Molla, the 45-year-old general secretary of BNP Hazratpur Union, sustained a gunshot wound to the right side of his abdomen. According to his brother, Rakib Molla, two unidentified men carried out the attack. This incident follows two other intense clashes between BNP and JeI workers earlier in the week, which resulted in several injuries, highlighting the volatile nature of the pre-election period in Bangladesh.
